The native honeybee, Apis cerana, plays a critical role in maintaining ecological balance and supporting livelihoods in Azad Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan. A. cerana is regarded as an excellent crop pollinator for a large variety of fruit and vegetable crops. In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, local beekeepers maintain A. cerana colonies as a source of honey production and livelihood of the rural area communities directly or indirectly related to the beekeeping of this native honeybee species. Local beekeepers are using different types of hive materials for the traditional beekeeping of this species in the Azad Kashmir region of Pakistan. The selection of suitable hive material for enhancing honey quality and production is urgently needed for this region. This study was designed to explore the impact of different types of hive materials on A. cerana honey production and colony behaviour. Different hive materials such as wooden rectangular hives, concrete brick hives, mud hives, and wood log hives were studied for honey production (kg) and colony behaviour including the number of forager bees, number of combs, size of combs (inches), number of swarms, and number of queens produced in each hive. The results of this study show that the wooden rectangular hive was found to be significantly effective for A. cerana colonies with maximum honey production (11.98 ± 0.115), number of queens (4.60 ± 0.509), number of swarms (4.20 ± 0.374), and number of combs (10.40 ± 0.0509). While the wood log hive was found least effective with minimum honey production (5.28 ± 0.0159), in the case of bee trafficking, the wooden rectangular hive was also recorded with maximum outgoing and incoming bees. The wooden rectangular hive was also recorded with the maximum number of combs with large comb sizes. This study will contribute to developing sustainable beekeeping practices by optimizing hive designs for enhanced honey production and colony health. The findings may also inform global apiculture strategies, benefiting both local and commercial beekeepers.

Monochamus spp., commonly known as sawyer beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), are conifer wood borers capable of causing decreases in wood value of up to 40 % due to the tunnels built by their larvae in freshly cut logs. However, the greatest impact on pine forests comes from their phoretic association with the pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, an aggressive phytoparasite that causes rapid pine decline in Asian and European forests (Portugal and Spain). Beetles become vectors for the PWN during the callow adult stage while still inside the pupal chambers, deep in infected pine wood. The presence of teneral adults in dead infected wood stimulates PWN's transition from the propagative to the dispersive stage (Dauer juveniles), involving extensive morphological changes. The colonized beetles transport PWNs in their respiratory system (trachea) and transmit them to uninfected pines during maturation feeding. The interaction between these two different organisms is still not completely understood, but volatile compounds are believed to mediate their communication. The present work aimed at profiling the volatiles emitted by different life stages of the European pine sawyer beetle Monochamus galloprovincialis through solid-phase microextraction (SPME) using sorbent packed tubes to capture emitted volatiles and thermal desorption coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) for compound identification. Several volatiles were found to be constitutively emitted by the different insect life stages (larvae, pupae, and callow adult males and females); however, seven compounds were found in callow adults only, e.g., C12 and C13 aliphatic alkanes, C7 and C8 aliphatic aldehydes, or the ketone 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one. Further studies will focus on their attractiveness to the PWN. This knowledge will contribute to developing innovative strategies to break the intricate cycle of pine wilt disease caused by the PWN.

This research was partly funded by the EU through project PurPest, grant agreement 101060634 (https://doi.org/10.3030/101060634) and PWNUK2022.

After the introduction of the invasive mosquito Aedes albopictus in the Attica Region and other areas of Greece, the native mosquito species Aedes cretinus has become scarce, while Ae. albopictus is widely distributed. The overwintering of mosquitoes determines their population dynamics in the next season. This study explored the survival ability of Ae. albopictus and Ae. cretinus adults in a sheltered environment in the northern area of the Attica Region, Greece, during the winter of 2023-2024. Male and female Aedes albopictus and Aedes cretinus were placed in cages within a sheltered environment in mid-December, and their survival was monitored continuously until mid-April. The results demonstrated that 11% of Ae. albopictus females and 21.1% of Ae. cretinus females were able to survive beyond the winter season (overwintering), indicating their potential to build up high populations early in the spring season. However, adult males of both species failed to overwinter. The capacity of adults to survive winter was significantly higher in Ae. cretinus than in Ae. albopictus, according to log-rank tests. This finding may justify the presence of Ae. cretinus in the cooler environments of vegetated and wooded locations in northern areas of Attica Region. However, the fact that Ae. albopictus females survived the winter under the same sheltered microclimatic environment underscores the potential of interspecific competition in these areas. This study emphasizes the need for extended monitoring of Ae. albopictus and Ae. cretinus populations during winter in sheltered places in Attica Region and other areas where these species co-exist to allow us to better understand their distribution patterns. Additionally, our results advocate targeted control measures for both mosquito species in sheltered places during winter to prevent early spring population growth.

This study focuses on developing a reliable forecasting system for mango field delimitation using weather data, the NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), and the role of the mango mealybug (Drosicha mangiferae) in production dynamics. Hourly weather data and NDVI values were analyzed to understand their collective impact on mango cultivation. Prophet, a forecasting model designed for time series data with seasonal trends, was utilized to predict weather patterns, while NDVI changes captured vegetation health influenced by climatic conditions. Mango mealybugs, a significant pest, negatively affect mango yield through sap extraction, leading to reduced fruit quality and premature fruit drop. Climatic factors like temperature, humidity, and rainfall play a crucial role in managing mealybug infestations. Lower temperatures of 21^o C with dry conditions favor their activity, while increased rainfall and humidity limit their spread by disrupting their lifecycle and behavior. Comparisons of Prophet with traditional statistical methods like ARIMA revealed its superior accuracy in forecasting mango production and area. Stepwise regression identified significant climatic variables that influence production. By integrating real-time weather patterns, pest impacts, and NDVI trends, this research highlights an advanced, climate-responsive forecasting model. This system offers mango growers actionable insights to optimize resources, implement timely pest control strategies, and mitigate climate-related risks effectively.

Hybridization modifies the genetic structure of the individuals or populations and affects the phenotypic stability depending on the genetic diversity of closely related species. In some cases, it exposes strong heterotic characters or disrupts their developmental stabilities due to new interrogated and/or broken gene(s). To check these inferences, we crossed Bactrocera zonata ♂ and B. dorsalis ♀ at a 1:3 ratio and studied their mitotic metaphase chromosomes following air drying and C-banding techniques at the CBR lab, IFRB, AERE, Dhaka. We examined five pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes (parents and the hybrid). Karyotype morphology and heterochromatin distribution in mitotic metaphase chromosomes of B. zonata were studied and have already been reported. The total chromosome length of B. dorsalis and the hybrid was 47.16 µm and 33.18 µm, respectively. Chromosome 2 was the longest and the sex chromosome (X) was smallest except in the hybrid where 6 was the smallest one. Chromosomes 4 and X were metacentric, and 5 and 6 were submetacentric in all cases. Chromosome 2 was metacentric and Chromosome 3 was submetacentric in B. dorsalis and the hybrid. The Y chromosome was dot-shaped and fully heterochromatic. The B. dorsalis female contained more heterochromatin block than its male while the opposite scenario was found in the hybrid. Chromosomes 2, 3 and 4 had pericentric and 5, 6 and X had centromeric heterochromatin block. The hybrid was composed of the largest telomeric band in the X chromosome long arm. Due to genetic introgression, the hybrid's resulting autosome's length of was similar to that of its parental father (B. zonata) and its morphology was similar to that of its parental mother (B. dorsalis). Genetic material transmission from B. zonata to B. dorsalis or vice versa was a positive sign that B. zonata would become a new member of the B. dorsalis species complex that mediates in active pest management program.

In recent decades, the use of animals in research has been reduced due to the requirements of ethics committees and good laboratory practices. However, total replacement is not yet feasible, as animals are essential for studies that seek to understand human physiology. Insects such as Galleria mellonella have been used as infection models, presenting advantages such as easy reproduction, incubation between 25 and 37 °C, and phagocytic cells called hemocytes, similar to mammalian phagocytes. G. mellonella larvae have six types of hemocytes, essential in the immune system, with variable density in the hemolymph, which can be measured to evaluate responses to infections. The viability of the larvae is verified by the absence of movement and intense melanization, indicators of response to pathogens. Thus, G. mellonella has been used to evaluate the virulence of pathogens and the toxicity of substances. In the test performed, groups of 10 larvae (200–250 mg) were subjected to toxicity analyses. After 24 hours without feeding at 37 °C in the dark, the larvae had their prolegs sanitized with 70% ethanol and were injected with 10 μL of extracts (2500 μg/mL), fractions (2500 μg/mL), or solvent (DMSO 2.5%) using a glass syringe previously cleaned with hypochlorite, ethanol, and saline solution. The larvae were kept at 37 °C and monitored at intervals of 2 to 24 hours, and then daily for seven days. The results indicated a natural mortality of up to 10% in the control group, while all extracts showed a mortality below 20%.

The melon fruit fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett), is a major pest of cucurbit crops, causing economic losses of up to 30-100% depending on the severity of infestation. Temperature is a critical factor influencing its development, reproductive potential, and survival. This laboratory study was conducted at the Department of Entomology, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, India, to evaluate the effect of different temperatures on its life cycle. Experiments were performed at three temperatures, 15°C, 25°C, and 35°C, under a controlled relative humidity of 75% (±5%), using infested cucumber fruits as the culture source. The incubation period was observed to besignificantly prolonged at 15°C (8.4 ± 0.63 days) compared to 25°C (0.72 ± 0.13 days) and 35°C (0.65 ± 0.13 days). The total maggot duration was the longest at 15°C (23.9 ± 1.71 days) compared to 25°C (5.08 ± 1.50 days) and 35°C (3.65 ± 1.27 days). Similarly, the pupal period was the longestat 15°C (34.3 ± 0.81 days), decreasing at 25°C (8.7 ± 0.68 days) and 35°C (8.0 ± 0.94 days). Adult longevity was significantly higher at 15°C (males: 46.3 ± 0.82 days; females: 48.1 ± 1.58 days) compared to 25°C (males: 23.3 ± 1.42 days; females: 25.3 ± 2.06 days) and 35°C (males: 16 ± 0.67 days; females: 20.2 ± 0.63 days). Female fecundity was the highest at 25°C (77.1 ± 3.21 eggs) compared to 15°C (70.3 ± 0.49 eggs) and 35°C (72.5 ± 2.84 eggs). A male-biased sex ratio was observed at all temperatures, with values of 1:0.64, 1:0.74, and 1:0.76 at 15°C, 25°C, and 35°C, respectively. These findings highlight the influence of temperature on the developmental biology of the melon fruit fly, which has important implications for its population dynamics and management.

Temperature plays a pivotal role in shaping the physiological responses of mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi Kaltenbach) morphs, influencing their enzymatic activity and oxidative stress management. This study examined their enzymatic activities using spectrophotometric assays, with SOD and CAT evaluated as markers of antioxidant responses and LPO as an indicator of oxidative damage in alate (winged) and apterous (wingless) morphs under field conditions during the Rabi season at the Agricultural Research Farm, Banaras Hindu University. Aphid populations peaked at 13.6°C in mid-January, correlating with significantly higher enzymatic activity in alate morphs, which exhibited elevated SOD (0.405 ± 0.042 U/mg protein) and CAT (0.046 ± 0.011 U/mg protein) levels, reflecting their enhanced oxidative stress defences during dispersal. Apterous morphs, adapted for reproduction, demonstrated lower SOD (0.314 ± 0.067 U/mg protein) and CAT (0.023 ± 0.006 U/mg protein) activities, consistent with their sedentary lifestyle and reduced exposure to temperature-induced stress. Lipid peroxidation was notably higher in alates (0.210 ± 0.035 nmol-TBARS/mg protein) compared to apterous morphs (0.068 ± 0.004 nmol-TBARS/mg protein), underscoring the oxidative cost of flight. The overall study results corroborate the hypothesis that temperature variability strongly influences the enzymatic responses of L. erysimi morphs, providing insights into their physiological plasticity and potential vulnerabilities. Understanding these mechanisms can inform pest management approaches by targeting the biochemical pathways involved in stress adaptation.

Introduction

Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti are the primary vectors of arboviral diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever. In the absence of effective vaccines for most of these infections, vector control through insecticide use remains the primary preventive strategy. However, increasing resistance to multiple insecticide classes among Aedes mosquitoes poses a significant challenge, potentially compromising control efforts. Assessing insecticide susceptibility and resistance mechanisms is crucial for developing effective and sustainable vector management strategies. This study evaluated the insecticide susceptibility and kdr mutation frequency in Aedes populations from urban and semi-urban areas of Ibadan, Nigeria, to support targeted control interventions.

Methods

Immature Aedes mosquitoes were collected from natural and artificial breeding sites in Ibadan North (urban) and Akinyele (semi-urban) LGAs and reared to adulthood (F1 progeny). Insecticide susceptibility tests were conducted on adult mosquitoes using the CDC bottle bioassay with WHO diagnostic doses of deltamethrin, permethrin, bendiocarb, and pirimiphos-methyl. PCR assays were performed on pyrethroid-exposed mosquitoes to detect the kdr (F1534C) mutation through direct sequencing of PCR products.

Results

Insecticide susceptibility tests revealed that Aedes aegypti exhibited resistance to permethrin in both urban (89.4% ± 1.9% mortality) and semi-urban (88.9% ± 9.3% mortality) areas, whereas Aedes albopictus remained fully susceptible. Both species demonstrated complete susceptibility to pirimiphos-methyl (>99%) and bendiocarb (>99%). The kdr (F1534C) mutation frequency was low (0.06–0.22), suggesting minimal target-site resistance to pyrethroids.

Conclusion

The observed resistance of Aedes aegypti to permethrin underscores the need for continuous insecticide resistance monitoring and the adoption of rotational insecticide use in vector control programs. The low kdr mutation frequency suggests that other resistance mechanisms, such as metabolic resistance, may be involved. Implementing integrated vector management strategies is essential for the effective and sustainable control of Aedes-borne diseases.

The sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius (Fabricus), is one of the most destructive and widely distributed pests affecting sweet potato, Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. It has a high reproductive capacity, a short generation time, and is difficult to control due to its soil-dwelling nature. Currently, the control strategy against C. formicarius relies mainly on treatment with synthetic insecticides. Considering that this pest causes the greatest damage during the harvest and post-harvest period on stored plants, control using chemical products is not recommended due to the increased risk of high levels of pesticide residues in the roots. In order to reduce the use of insecticides, there is a need to develop an environmentally safer control method, such as alternative solutions that can rely on the use of essential oils (EOs), which can be used in both conventional and organic production systems. Seven essential oils, namely Thymus Gobicus, garlic oil (Allium sativum), pure yellow marigold oil (Calendula officinalis), eucalyptus, mustard seed oil, peppermint, and rosemary, were used to evaluate the mortality of adults, second- and third-instar larvae and pupae. The applied EOs were dissolved in acetone in three different concentrations, 1%, 5%, and 10%. The best results were obtained in the larval and pupal stages with peppermint oil standing out as the most effective, presenting the highest mortality values ​​in the second and third instar, especially at concentrations of 10% and, to a lesser extent, 5%. Peppermint, eucalyptus, thyme and rosemary oils were the most effective oils in the mortality of newly pulped pupae, especially at concentrations of 10%. Both controls presented low mortality values ​​in relation to the treatments with oils, indicating that mortality is significantly lower without the application of the oils.