Cover Caption
The Glanville fritillary butterfly,Melitaea cinxia, is widely distributed between approximately 35 °N and 60°N in Eurasia, from the Atlantic coast to the Baikal Lake region. In China,M. cinxia is distributed in Xinjiang. The geographic populations have to face greatly different ambient temperatures. The biochemical adaptation strategy ofM. cinxia is revealed in Chinese population for dealing with high temperature (see pages 758-770). Photo provided by Rongjiang Wang. (Source: Insect Science)
Source: Insect Science - June 13, 2023 Category: Biology Tags: CONTENTS Source Type: research

Gene cloning, protein expression, and enzymatic characterization of a double ‐stranded RNA degrading enzyme in Apolygus lucorum
Characterization of enzymatic activity of heterologously expressed AldsRNase at different pH, incubation time and temperature. The more acidic intestinal (pH 5) environment inApolygus lucorum has promoted the activity of the recombinant protein AldsRNase enzyme as reflected by short degradation time (1  min) at 30 °C. AbstractRNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool that post-transcriptionally silences target genes in eukaryotic cells. However, silencing efficacy varies greatly among different insect species. Recently, we met with little success when attempting to knock down genes in the mirid bugApolygus lucorum via ...
Source: Insect Science - June 8, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: Jie ‐Yu Zhang, Jing Zhao, Keyan Zhu‐Salzman, Qin‐Qin Ji, Yi‐Ping Jiang, Liu‐Bin Xiao, De‐Jin Xu, Guang‐Chun Xu, Lin‐Quan Ge, Yong‐An Tan Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research

The genome sequence of a spider mite, Tetranychus truncatus, provides insights into interspecific host range variation and the genetic basis of adaptation to a low ‐quality host plant
The phytophagous miteTetranychus truncatus is a significant pest in East Asia, but its host range is relatively narrower than that ofTetranychus urticae, another pest mite. We have produced a high-quality, chromosomal-level genome ofT.  truncatus and compared it with that ofT.  urticae. Our findings indicate thatT.  truncatus has fewer genes associated with detoxification, transport, and chemoreception thanT.  urticae, with a notable reduction in gustatory receptor genes. Through population genetics analyses and comparisons of transcriptomes after a host plant shift, we have identified genes that are potentially involv...
Source: Insect Science - June 7, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: Lei Chen, Xin ‐Yue Yu, Xiao‐Feng Xue, Feng Zhang, Li‐Xue Guo, Hua‐Meng Zhang, Ary A. Hoffmann, Xiao‐Yue Hong, Jing‐Tao Sun Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research

Higher levels of the lipophilic antioxidants coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E in long ‐lived termite queens than in short‐lived workers
This study provides essential biochemical and evolutionary insights into the relationship between CoQ10 concentrations and termite lifespan extension. (Source: Insect Science)
Source: Insect Science - June 6, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: Eisuke Tasaki, Yorihiro Yamamoto, Yoshihito Iuchi Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research

Characterization of the pheromone receptors in Mythimna loreyi reveals the differentiation of sex pheromone recognition in Mythimna species
Molecular recognition mechanism of sex pheromones and analogs was revealed inMythimna loreyi by analyzing the antennal transcriptome. MlorPR6 and MlorPR3 were the receptors of major and minor components. MlorPR1 and MlorPR5 both possessed the ability to detect pheromones of sympatric species. AbstractPheromone receptors (PRs) are key proteins in the molecular mechanism of pheromone recognition, and exploring the functional differentiation of PRs between closely related species helps to understand the evolution of moth mating systems. Pheromone components of the agricultural pestMythimna loreyi have turned into (Z)-9-tetrad...
Source: Insect Science - June 3, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: Chan Wang, Lei Liu, Tian ‐Yu Huang, Yu Zhang, Yang Liu, Gui‐Rong Wang Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research

Chromosome ‐level genome assembly of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri
We have assembled one of the highest quality chromosome-levelDiaphorina citri genomes to date and found by resequencing that theD. citri sex determination system is XO. Based on the phylogenetic and genomic comparison,D.citri andPachypsylla venusta were found to be most closely related and separated from their most recent common ancestor about 336.62  million years ago. Genes potentially involved in detoxification metabolism, pathogen transmission, and honeydew secretion were screened. AbstractDiaphorina citri is a global citrus pest. As a vector insect, it can transmit the causative agents of citrus huanglongbing, causin...
Source: Insect Science - May 26, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: Shuang Lei, Shi ‐Jiang Yu, Qi Pan, Li‐Li Ding, Si‐Chen Li, Lu‐Yan Cheng, Shu‐Qi Wang, Bing‐Hai Lou, Jun He, Cui‐Yun Lei, Lin Cong, Hao‐Qiang Liu, Xue‐Feng Wang, Chun Ran Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research

Experimental arena settings might lead to misinterpretation of movement properties
We examined the effect of the arena structure on movement properties using the red flour beetle as a model. The arena structure greatly affected movement properties, such as movement distance, turn angles, and movement along the arena's perimeter. Instead of examining the effect of treatments on the animal movement, we might in fact examine the animal's interaction with the specific arena used. We advise caution when choosing the right arena and interpreting the results. AbstractMovement is an important animal behavior contributing to reproduction and survival. Animal movement is often examined in arenas or enclosures unde...
Source: Insect Science - May 26, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: Inon Scharf, Kimberley Hanna, Daphna Gottlieb Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research

Effects of simulated gut pH environment on bacterial composition and pheromone production of Dendroctonus valens
In this study, we fed wild caughtD. valens with 3 different pH media (main host diet with natural pH of 4.7; a mildly acidic diet with pH 6 mimicking the beetle gut pH; and highly acidic diet with pH 4), and measured their effects on the gut pH, bacterial community and production of the main aggregation and anti-aggregation pheromone (verbenone). We further tested the verbenone production capacity of 2 gut bacterial isolates in different pH environments (pH 6 and 4). Compared to natural state or main host diet, feeding on less acidic diet (pH 6) diluted the acidity of the gut, whereas feeding on highly acidic diet (pH 4) e...
Source: Insect Science - May 25, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: Qingjie Cao, Yu Zhao, Tuuli ‐Marjaana Koski, Huiping Li, Jianghua Sun Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research

The selective regulation of immune responses by matrix metalloproteinase MMP14 in Ostrinia furnacalis
In this study, we used the lepidopteran pestOstrinia furnacalis larvae to address these questions by examining the changes of immune-related gene expression and antimicrobial activity after the knockdown ofMMP14 and bacterial infections. We identifiedMMP14 inO. furnacalis using the rapid amplification of complementary DNA ends (RACE), and found that it was conserved and belonged to the MMP1 subfamily. Our functional investigations revealed thatMMP14 is an infection-responsive gene, and its knockdown reduces phenoloxidase (PO) activity andCecropin expression, while the expressions ofLysozyme,Attacin,Gloverin, andMoricin are...
Source: Insect Science - May 21, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: Kangkang Chen, Shiqi Lu, Jiahui Song, Xiaoyi Dou, Xiangyi Wei, Xinyan Wang, Xu Liu, Congjing Feng Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research

Efficient nanoparticle ‐based CRISPR‐Cas13d induced mRNA disruption of an eye pigmentation gene in the white‐backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera
In this study, the smallest Cas13 family member, Cas13d, and guide RNAs (gRNAs) were complexed with a versatile nanomaterial (star polycation, SPc) to generate a proof-of-concept RNA-editing platform capable of disrupting mRNA expression of the eye pigmentation genetryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (SfTO) in white-backed planthoppers (WBPHs). The resulting red-eye phenotype was present in 19.76% (with SPc) and 22.99% (without SPc) of the treatment groups and was comparable to the red-eye phenotype generated following conventional RNA interference knockdown (22.22%). Furthermore, the Cas13/gRNA phenotype manifested more quickly th...
Source: Insect Science - May 19, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: Yun ‐Feng Ma, Meng‐Qi Zhang, Lang‐Lang Gong, Xuan‐Zheng Liu, Gui‐Jun Long, Huan Guo, J. Joe Hull, Youssef Dewer, Ming He, Peng He Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research

Metabolic changes during larval –pupal metamorphosis of Helicoverpa armigera
Helicoverpa armigera larvae quickly grow and accumulate carbohydrates and lipids with rapid aerobic glycolysis during the feeding stage. Aerobic glycolysis is rapidly inactivated, and lipid degradation is rapidly activated, during the larval nonfeeding stage. 20-hydroxyecdysone cooperates with carnitine to promote lipid utilization. AbstractEnergy metabolism is essential for insect metamorphosis. The accumulation and utilization of energy is still not completely clear during larval –pupal metamorphosis of holometabolous insects. We used metabolome and transcriptome analysis to reveal key metabolic changes in the fat body...
Source: Insect Science - May 18, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: Xinxin Gao, Jihong Zhang, Qilian Qin, Peipei Wu, Huan Zhang, Qian Meng Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research

Black soldier fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) larval heat generation and management
AbstractMass production of black soldier fly,Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), larvae results in massive heat generation, which impacts facility management, waste conversion, and larval production. We tested daily substrate temperatures with different population densities (i.e., 0, 500, 1000, 5000, and 10 000 larvae/pan), different population sizes (i.e., 166, 1000, and 10 000 larvae at a fixed feed ratio) and air temperatures (i.e., 20 and 30 °C) on various production parameters. Impacts of shifting larvae from 30 to 20 °C on either day 9 or 11 were also determined. Larval activity increased substrate tem...
Source: Insect Science - May 16, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: Chujun Li, Nicola F. Addeo, Travis W. Rusch, Aaron M. Tarone, Jeffery K. Tomberlin Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research

RNA interference in insects: the link between antiviral defense and pest control
Both viral infection and insecticidal dsRNA trigger the same RNAi machinery, which determines the efficacy of RNAi in insects. RNAi-based biological control not only avoids off-target effects in beneficial organisms, but also achieves synergy between RNAi and other biological control agents. AbstractRNA interference (RNAi) is a form of gene silencing triggered by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) that operates in all eukaryotic cells. RNAi has been widely investigated in insects to determine the underlying molecular mechanism, to investigate its role in systemic antiviral defense, and to develop strategies for pest control. When...
Source: Insect Science - May 10, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: Jinzhi Niu, Ruoyu Chen, Jin ‐Jun Wang Tags: REVIEW Source Type: research

Male larval experience of cues from adult rivals alters lifetime sperm investment patterns in a sperm heteromorphic moth, Ephestia kuehniella
Using a sperm heteromorphic moth,Ephestia kuehniella, we investigate how male larvae of different ages respond to cues from adult rivals and adjust their lifetime sperm production and ejaculation. We demonstrate that in response to adult male cues, late instar larvae produce more sperm before emergence and their resultant adults have shorter mating latency and ejaculate more sperm in the first few matings. If juveniles produce more fertile eupyrene sperm before emergence, their adults stop making these sperm, but regardless of the number of infertile apyrene sperm produced during the juvenile stage, adults continue to make...
Source: Insect Science - May 10, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: Junyan Liu, Xiong Zhao He, Qiao Wang Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research