Forensic entomology is a well-established tool in post-mortem interval (PMI) estimation, relying on the succession and development of necrophagous insects. However, despite its forensic significance, the field faces methodological challenges that impact the accuracy and reliability of its conclusions. The most critical limitations include environmental variability, species misidentification, and the influence of toxicological substances on insect development, which can lead to over- or underestimations of PMIs due to altered insect growth rates and succession patterns. To address these concerns, this review evaluates existing forensic entomology methodologies and explores emerging approaches that could enhance its forensic applicability.

A systematic review of the recent literature on forensic entomology was conducted, focusing on its practical applications, challenges, and the influence of external factors on PMI estimation. Case studies, experimental research, and forensic toxicology analyses were examined to assess how species variability and environmental conditions affect forensic accuracy. Additionally, AI-based insect classification and biochemical approaches for detecting toxicological residues were explored as potential advancements in forensic entomology.

This review indicates that species misidentification remains a significant concern, particularly due to morphological similarities among necrophagous insects. Furthermore, toxicological substances found in decomposing remains can alter insect development rates, leading to inaccurate PMI assessments. AI-driven classification methods are a promising improvement in species identification accuracy, while biochemical analyses of necrophagous insects present new opportunities for forensic entomotoxicology by enhancing toxicological screening in forensic investigations.

Despite its established forensic significance, forensic entomology requires methodological refinements to enhance its reliability in criminal investigations. The integration of AI-driven insect classification and biochemical analysis into forensic protocols can significantly improve PMI estimation accuracy and forensic toxicology assessments. Future research should focus on validating these technologies through controlled forensic studies and real-case applications to ensure their accuracy, reproducibility, and forensic admissibility.

Urbanization is a major global phenomenon, highlighting the essential need for biodiversity conservation in urban settings. This study aimed to find the factors affecting butterfly species richness in Jinan City, their habitat suitability, and elevation changes. A total of 2,583 individual butterflies were collected from 23 different sites, representing 50 species across five families. Butterfly species richness showed significant positive correlations with distance from the city center and vegetation density. Conversely, elevation and topographic diversity demonstrated weak positive correlations. A strong negative correlation was observed with human population, while moderate negative correlations were noted with land surface temperature and urban island. The MaxEnt model and the Welch two-sample t-test were employed to assess the influence of bioclimatic variables on the suitable habitats and elevation shifts of butterflies in the city, utilizing Current (1970-2000) and projected climate scenarios. The SSP4.5 2070s and RCP6.0 2070s showed a significant decrease in highly suitable habitats, accompanied by a relocation to the southern mountains of the city. The RCP4.5 2070s showed a significant upward shift in butterfly elevation, whereas the SSP4.5 2090s showed no significant change. Improving habitat diversity, vegetation health, and reducing urban stressors contribute to butterfly conservation in urban environments. This study establishes a foundation for subsequent research and conservation initiatives concerning butterflies in Jinan.

Introduction
Apis florea, the red dwarf honey bee, is a wild bee species native to Asia. Its adaptability and nesting behaviour make it a potential alien invasive species, raising concerns about its competition with Apis mellifera and the introduction of novel pathogens. This study investigates the presence of known and emerging honey bee pathogens in A. florea to increase the available knowledge on this species.

Methods
In 2024, after the first detection in Europe of a fully established colony of A. florea in Malta, a small nest was found in the same area, near the Malta Freeport Terminals, a very busy cargo and transhipment port in the southern part of the island. In May of the same year, in Italy (port of Gioia Tauro, Calabria region), a small nest of A. florea was discovered on the wall of a container coming from India. Specimens of A. florea, collected from both locations before the destruction of the nests, were analysed for species identification by the sequencing of a cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) region of mitochondrial DNA, and for the presence of possible honey bee pathogens (fungi, viruses and trypasonomatids).

Results
The sequencing of the COI region confirmed the species A. florea in both samples and only bee viruses were detected. Whereas viral co-infections (DWV, ABPV, SBV, BQCV and AmFV) were present in samples from Malta, only SBV was found in A. florea from Italy.

Conclusion
The spread of A. florea in the Mediterranean region due to global trade poses an ecological risk to local biodiversity. Furthermore, the presence of pathogens in the A. florea populations raises concerns about their potential spread to local honey bee populations, highlighting the need to monitor the potential presence of A. florea nests through an early warning system and to take prompt action for their eradication.

The United Arab Emirates, like the rest of the world, is experiencing the effects of climate change, which significantly influences the abundance and distribution pattern of ticks and tick-borne microorganisms. Other factors, such as land use changes and habitat fragmentation, also contribute to the complexity of tick population dynamics. This review aims to assess the diversity of ticks infesting livestock and wildlife, analyze the variety and abundance of tick-borne microbes in the context of climate change, and identify research gaps in the field of tick studies within the country. A total of seventeen tick species belonging to four genera have been reported: Amblyomma gemma, A. lepidum, Hyalomma anatolicum, H. excavatum, H. impeltatum, H. dromedarii, H. marginatum, H. truncatum, H. hussaini-like, H. scupense, H. rufipes, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, R. evertsi, R. pulchellus, R. sanguineus, R. sulcatus, and Ornithodoros muesebecki. The most commonly reported genera, Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus, are typically found on animals. Additionally, eight tick-borne microbes have been detected in ticks and animals, including Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHFV), Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Coxiella-like endosymbiont, Coxiella burnetii, Francisella-like endosymbiont, Rickettsia sp., Theileria annulata, and T. ovis. Microbiome studies in the UAE revealed that the microbial communities associated with H. dromedarii ticks vary throughout the year, with different bacterial genera dominating at different times. Dominant genera, such as Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Francisella, and Corynebacterium, have been consistently reported. Tick populations depend on a combination of large-scale climate influences, microclimates, host densities, and tick predators. Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, and low humidity can reduce tick activity and survival, while excessive rainfall also inhibits their activity. The risk of human infection increases with the density of infected ticks, which varies locally. The study of ticks and pathogen lifecycles, microbial interactions, and host and habitat ranges is essential for targeted interventions.

Mantids (Mantodea) are generalist predatory insects in their nymph and adult stages. The female lays her eggs into an ootheca, which is made of structural proteins and tanning agents, in order to create a protective egg case. Some families of hymenoptera belonging to Chalcidoidea are known as mantid ootheca parasitoids. The vast majority of Torymidae are entomophagous species attacking Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, and the gall-formers Diptera and Hymenoptera, but the whole tribe Podagrionini is strictly associated with mantid oothecae, and a few species from Microdontomerini also attack mantid egg cases. Eupelmidae are mainly parasitoids of Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, and Neuroptera, but some species from the subfamily Eupelminae have a range of hosts, including spider sac eggs, Orthoptera egg pods, and the oothecae of Blattodea and Mantodea. The aim of this study is to provide information about the Torymidae and Eupelmidae wasps that act as parasitoids of the mantid species found in several natural parks of the province of Valencia in Eastern Spain. Several mantid oothecae were collected on garrigue vegetation, glued to bushes, in several periods between 2016 and 2024. The oothecae were stored in boxes at room temperature until the emergence of mantid nymphs and parasitoid wasps. Nymphs were returned to their territories. The egg cases belonged to the mantid species Iris oratoria (L., 1758), Mantis religiosa (L., 1758), and Sphodromantis viridis (Forskal, 1775). The parasitoids were species of the torymid genera Podagrion Spinola and Podagrionella Girault and the eupelmid genus Anastatus Motschulsky. Podagrion bouceki Delvare, 2005 was reared from S. viridis, with this being a new parasitoid–host relationship discovered in Spain, while Anastatus maculosus Askew, 2004 was recorded for the first time, emerging from the egg case of I. oratoria. The mantid–parasitoid relationships were indicated.

In the honeybee, Apis mellifera, hygienic behavior is defined as the ability of bees to detect and remove diseased larvae and pupae from the brood nest before the pathogen spreads throughout the colony. This is one of the key mechanisms of resistance to foulbrood and fungal diseases. The aim of our study is to investigate the hygienic behavior and honey production of Apis mellifera intermissa in a mountainous region of Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria, using the freezing test. To achieve this, 20 populous colonies with naturally mated queens of the same age (2 years) were used. Rectangles in sealed brood frames were cut out and then frozen for 24 hours. We quantified the removal of brood killed by freezing in sealed cells after 24 hours and then after 48 hours, as well as the honey production. The studied colonies ranged from less hygienic (4 colonies), with 68.33% of brood removed at 24 hours and 93.45% at 48 hours, to fully hygienic (14 colonies), with 100% of larvae removed within 48 hours, including 4 colonies that cleaned all cells within 24 hours. Furthermore, colonies of bees exhibiting hygienic behavior, known as "hygienic bees," produced more honey than non-hygienic colonies, yielding an additional 3 kg of honey per hive. Thus, it appears that the Apis mellifera intermissa bee subspecies is hygienic and may develop strong resistance to diseases.

Edible insects are becoming a valuable source of protein, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Their addition to food, including bread, enriches its nutritional value and contributes to sustainable development. This study aimed at investigating the effect of the partial replacement of wheat flour with powder from Tenebrio molitor larvae and powder from Acheta domesticus insects on the techno-functional properties of flours and consumer acceptance of adding powdered insects to wheat bread. The nutritional value of traditional bread and bread with added insects was also compared.
This study was conducted on flour mixtures in which wheat flour was partially replaced with powder from Tenebrio molitor and Acheta domesticus larvae in proportions of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%. Techno-functional flour propertiessuch as color, granulometry, fermentation capacity, and baking value were assessed. In addition, a sensory evaluation of bread with powdered insects was carried out, and the nutritional value of bread was calculated based on the licensed computer program Dieta 6D.
Adding powdered Tenebrio molitor and Acheta domesticus insects resulted in a darker flour color. Bread enriched with powdered insects retained good baking quality. Adding insect powder in a proportion of 30% to wheat flour remained acceptable for consumers. The nutritional value of bread with the addition of edible insects varied depending on the insect type and was higher than that of bread without the addition of insects.
The study results suggest that adding powdered insects in a proportion of up to 30% is sufficient for consumers. In the future, using edible insects as functional ingredients in a bakery product may be an alternative to enriching the diet with plant protein and contribute to the sustainable development of the food industry, reducing the negative impact of animal production on the environment.

Introduction

Scale insects constitute a group of plant-feeding hemipterans that comprises over 8500 species. In Poland 143 species of Coccomorpha have been registered excluding greenhouse species. Investigations on scale insect fauna in urban environments in Poland have been conducted for over 80 years.

Methods

Our studies were carried out between 2005 and 2024 in selected cities and towns in Upper Silesia, which is the most industrialized region in Poland. Adult females were collected by carefully combing through the host plants and the surface layers of the soil by hand. Specimens were preserved in 70% ethanol and identified on the basis of permanent microscope slides. The specimens were found in urban parks, forests, xerothermic and psammophilous grasslands and post-industrial wastelands.

Results

We found 64 species that belonged to 10 families. The Pseudococcidae was the largest family comprising 23 species. Among the collected species 30 were found on woody plants, 33 on herbaceous plants and only 1 in the surface layer of the soil. Some species formed large colonies on their host plants e.g. Pulvinaria kuwacola Kuwana, 1907, which is invasive species collected in urban parks in different sites. Each year new localities of this species were found in the area of Upper Silesia. Parthenolecanium corni (Bouché, 1844) and Lepidosaphes ulmi (Linnaeus, 1758) were among the most common species. There were species considered to be rare in Poland that were collected in urban areas e.g. Porphyrophora polonica (Linnaeus, 1758) and Puto superbus (Leonardi, 1907).

Conclusions

The assemblages of scale insects in urban environments showed lower species diversity and a larger percentage of polyphagous species than in non-urban areas. The increase in the range of invasive species in the cities and towns is caused by many factors, of which global warming seems to be one of the most important.

Thermoregulation in dragonflies is a key physiological process that influences their ecological performance and behavior. While adults can employ active thermal regulation strategies, larvae rely more on water temperature. In this study, we analyzed the thermal relationship of adult and larval individuals of Erythrodiplax abjecta to assess how their body temperature varies in response to environmental variables. To measure temperature in adults, individuals were captured using an entomological net and held ventrally with forceps. Body temperature (Tb) was recorded in the thorax (Tth), abdomen (Tab), and head (Th). A MAX6675 sensor with a type K thermocouple (±1.0°C) was used, operated via software based on an ARDUINO NANO, registering thermal values in real time every second. In the case of larvae, both water temperature and body temperature were measured. Adults exhibited a variable thermal pattern throughout the day, with temperature peaks around midday, showing a stronger correlation with solar radiation temperature. Thoracic temperature was consistently higher than that of the abdomen and head, suggesting a possible differential thermal control. In contrast, larvae displayed a close thermal coupling with water temperature, with minimal differences compared to the ambient temperature. Preliminary results indicate that Erythrodiplax abjecta employs distinct thermal strategies depending on its developmental stage. Adults actively regulate their temperature, whereas larvae rely mainly on the aquatic environment. These findings contribute to the understanding of thermal physiology in odonates and their responses to changing environmental conditions.

Some vector species have limited dispersal abilities. This includes important disease vectors such as Aedes aegypti which averages just over 100 meters flight range based on multiple studies. This limited dispersal provides hope to control the spread of diseases, but just as larvae are able to move in scrap tires, infected adult mosquitoes may also find means to disperse to geographic localities without the disease. While the ability to be transported in vehicles is often assumed, there is no published data showing that solar heating of vehicles can still allow vector organisms to find microenvironments that allow survival and transport. Insect pests species, including agricultural, are also able to use vehicles for transport to new areas. This study is the first to demonstrate temperatures and their high variability inside passenger cars. The sunlight heating from 45 to 460 minutes resulted in temperature ranges inside of trunks from 32.5℃ to 43.5℃, the surface of shaded seats surfaces ranged from 42.2℃ to a high of 62℃, while objects under the seat ranged from 32.5℃ to 39.4℃. These areas protected from the highest temperatures, as well as glove boxes, console areas, and floor mats, should allow for the transport of the vectors, and their diseases, to new geographic areas. Controlling the spread of newly emerging diseases needs to include consideration of, and limiting, means of vector transport by vehicles. This may be critical for limiting the spread of vectors and their pathogens with the coming disease situations associated with climate change.