Tachinidae is a diverse family of calyptrate Diptera with a high evolutionary rate and a rapid diversification. More than 8500 species worldwide are grouped into 1501 genera, and in the Palaearctic Region, more than 2100 species have been recorded, grouped in 416 genera.

The Mediterranean Region is recognized as a unique biodiversity hotspot for Diptera, offering a wealth of discoveries in various taxonomic groups in this order. In the last decade, several studies have provided valuable insights into the taxonomy, distribution, and ecological roles of some Dipteran families in Morocco, culminating in the publication of a Catalogue of the Diptera of Morocco (Kettani et al. 2022). In this catalogue, 177 species of Tachinidae are recorded, but research on this family in Morocco remains rather limited compared to other families, and many more species are to be expected, especially noting that Spain has 514 recorded species.

Tachinidae are parasitoids of other insects. Their distribution is related to host preferences as well as to the habitats where the hosts occur on a regular basis and, presumably, in good numbers. A species of Tachinidae that has a wide host preference is more likely to be found in a variety of ecosystems.

A significant effort involving field trips at 163 surveyed sites (46 are home to Tachinidae) resulted in the collection of 309 adult specimens, whose identification revealed 67 species. Of these, 51 have already been recorded in Morocco, 16 species are newly discovered in the country and 11 species are new to North Africa. Seven genera (Microsoma Macquart, 1855; Triarthria Stephens, 1829; Macquartia R.-D., 1830; Nemoraea Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830; Trigonospila Pokorny, 1886; Prosopea Rondani, 1861; Elodia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1863) are cited for the first time in Morocco. These newly recorded species in Morocco belong to four subfamilies, 13 tribes, and 14 genera.

Telomeres are repetitive sequences of non-coding DNA found at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. Here, telomere banding patterns were detected in the salivary gland polytene chromosomes of Bactrocera zonata and Zeugodacus tau by C-banding technique. Both species infest a wide number of fruits and vegetables in tropical, sub-tropical and temperate regions of the world. Studies of polytene genomes of these and other tephritid fruit flies have been of great value in elucidating aspects of chromosome structure, gene activity and serving as tools for identification that can be critical for adoption novel control strategies to control these pests. Polytene genome of these species consists of five (2-6) banded chromosomes with ten polytene arms. Long arms are abbreviated as Left (L) and short arms as Right (R). In B. zonata, 2L telomere is slightly swollen with a combination of heterochromatic and euchromatic parts, 2R is totally heterochromatic. 3L tip has dotted heterochromatic cover, while 3R tip is rounded heterochromatic. 4L and 4R telomeres are rectangular with dense heterochromatic accumulation in ending caps. 5L telomere is expanded with dotted heterochromatic, 5R is rounded with heavily heterochromatic cap. 6L telomere is rhomboid and heterochromatic, while 6R is rounded and euchromatic. In Z. tau, 2L telomere is convex and euchromatic, 2R is straight and heterochromatic. 3L telomere is densely heterochromatic, 3R is comparatively flattened with dotted heterochromatic material. 4L and 4R tips are straight and highly heterochromatic. 5L and 5R have extensive euchromatic telomeres, but 5L end is heterochromatic, 5R is euchromatic. 6L is expanded and largely heterochromatic, whereas 6R telomere largely euchromatic. In fruit flies, telomeres of polytene chromosomes may serve as a cover for chromosome tips to protect them from nucleolytic degradation, recombination, repair and interchromosomal fusion. Thus, they play a vital role in maintaining chromosomal stability and preserving information in the genome.

Plant resistance is one of the essential tools for the development of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programmes. In tomato cultivation, the whitefly Bemisia tabaci is one of the major pests, causing both direct and indirect damage. So far, the Mi-1 gene is the only one with the capacity to confer resistance not only to B. tabaci but also to other insects and nematodes; thus, it deserves a detailed investigation of its function. In this work, gene expression was studied during the incompatible interaction of B. tabaci with plants carrying the Mi-1 gene, using the oligonucleotide microarray technique (GeneChip® Tomato Genome Array from Affymetrix®). For this purpose, leaflets of resistant plants (cv. Motelle) were sampled and analysed at 2 and 12 days post infestation (dpi) with adult insects, and the transcriptomic profile was compared to that of other uninfested plants of the same age.

At the early phase (2 dpi), 159 transcripts were significantly more expressed in the infested plants than in the uninfested ones; meanwhile, 189 transcripts were repressed. Transcriptional reprogramming was most intense later, at 12 dpi, as 595 transcripts were overexpressed and 437 were repressed. Only 44 upregulated and 68 downregulated transcripts were common at both time points (2 and 12 dpi). The Mapman categories with most differential transcripts were those that include genes with unknown function or that are in the miscellaneous group. However, relevant differential gene expression was also observed in the categories RNA, protein, signalling, cell wall, hormone metabolism and biotic and abiotic stress. These results provide important information about genes related to the resistance conferred by the Mi-1 gene against the attack of adults and nymphs of B. tabaci and whose role deserves further investigation.

Ticks are major vectors of several pathogens of veterinary and medical importance. Hyalomma scupense is a potential vector of Theileria annulata, the parasite responsible for tropical theileriosis in cattle. This disease negatively impacts livestock production and causes substantial economic losses. Our study investigates the molecular and phylogenetic profiles of Theileria spp. in Algeria. A total of 40 H. scupense ticks were collected from Medea, Algeria, and five samples tested positive for Theileria spp. based on their COXIII mitochondrial partial sequences. These positive ticks were further analyzed using partial mitochondrial COXI and SSU 12S genes. The results revealed two novel haplotypes for the H. scupense 12S gene and one new haplotype for the H. scupense COXI gene. For T. annulata, one haplotype was identified, previously reported in Algeria from cattle blood. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the genetic diversity of the detected haplotypes, providing insights into the evolutionary relationships of these parasites and their vectors. To our knowledge, this study represents the first molecular characterization of T. annulata from its vector, H. scupense, in Algeria. These findings highlight the need for continued research into the transmission dynamics and pathogenic mechanisms of this parasite to better understand its epidemiology and develop effective control strategies to mitigate its impact on livestock health.

The pepper weevil (Anthonomus eugenii Cano), a significant pest of pepper crops in the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean, can be controlled using RNA interference (RNAi), a common technique for analyzing gene activities and creating innovative management plans for a variety of insect pests. This pest's larval stages develop inside the fruit, making it difficult to handle effectively with both conventional and biorational insecticides. The current study examined the possibility of oral double-stranded RNA targeting arginine kinase (ArgK) and pepper weevil heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) in managing this destructive pest. According to our findings, adult pepper weevil (both male and female selected randomly) death rates within 10 days were 61.67 and 48.33%, respectively, when Hsp70 and ArgK were silenced. The relative mRNA expression of ArgK and Hsp70 was drastically reduced by 5.06 and 4.15 times, respectively, after 72 hours of DsRNA exposure. According to our findings, pepper weevils respond well to dietary RNA interference, and Hsp70 and ArgK may be useful RNAi target genes for managing this damaging pest. RNAi-based control of the pepper weevil opens avenues for the development of RNA-based commercial biopesticides. The results suggest that ArgK and Hsp70 play a key role in pepper biology. However, extensive research to determine off-and-non-target effects, environmental consequences, and the possibility of any resistance development is also critical.

The insects of the order Phasmatodea, commonly known as stick insects, stand out for their camouflage ability. Despite their ecological relevance, studies on their biology and feeding behavior are scarce, especially for South American species. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate, under laboratory conditions, the dietary preferences of Cladomorphus phyllinus with and without a choice of different plant species. The experiment was conducted at the Forest Entomology Laboratory of the Federal University of Recôncavo da Bahia. The following treatments were used: T0: Guava tree (Psidium guajava) (control); T1: Guava tree + Araçá (Psidium cattleyanum); T2: Guava tree + Eucalyptus grandis; T3: Guava tree + Eucalyptus urophylla; T4: Guava tree + Mulberry (Morus alba); T5: Eucalyptus grandis + Eucalyptus urophylla; T6: Eucalyptus grandis; T7: Eucalyptus urophylla; T8: Mulberry; and T9: Araçá. The individual C. phyllinus were kept in arenas of 3,000 cm³ with fresh leaves from the aforementioned treatments, and their consumption habits were evaluated from September to December 2024. Consumption was measured by direct observation of the consumed leaf area. The results indicated a clear dietary preference for Eucalyptus grandis, especially in treatments T6 and T2, for which consumption was significantly higher. The second most consumed food was the guava tree, followed by Eucalyptus urophylla. Treatments containing araçá showed low consumption, indicating that this species is not preferred by the insects. No mulberry leaves were consumed, suggesting that the feeding behavior for eucalyptus and guava species may be associated with a preference for Myrtaceae family species. The study indicated that the behavior of C. phyllinus is selective, as they showed a greater preference for Eucalyptus grandis, followed by P. guajava and E. urophylla, while species such as P. cattleyanum and M. alba were not attractive.

The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), an invasive pest in West Africa, threatens agricultural production in the region. Accurate identification and genetic diversity assessment are crucial for developing effective management strategies. This study aimed to characterize the S. frugiperda population, identify its strain diversity in maize fields across Cabo Verde, and investigate potential introduction routes within the archipelago.

Specimens were collected from maize fields in two agroecological zones on Santiago Island, as well as from other islands in Cabo Verde and multiple West and Central African countries. DNA barcoding of the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene was performed by means of PCR amplification using universal primers. Sequences were obtained using sanger sequencing, edited, and supplemented with reference sequence data from the NCBI and BOLD databases. Then, a phylogenetic analysis using the Maximum Likelihood method was carried out in MEGA with 1000 bootstrap analyses.

The preliminary genetic analysis revealed the strain variability in S. frugiperda populations across Cabo Verde, with evidence of Rice- and Corn-strain overlap on maize fields. The phylogenetic analysis suggested a complex species diversity and possible hybridization, warranting further investigation.

These findings emphasize the need for extending sample collection to assess the progeny of each strain and its implications for S. frugiperda's population dynamics. Understanding the genetic composition of predominant strains will contribute to the development of targeted pest management strategies.

The spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) is a harmful phytophagous insect, causing significant damage to forest ecosystems. During the collection of Lymantria dispar samples, a parasitoid developing in the pupae of this pest was discovered. A parasitic fly emerged after two days of incubation. Judging from morphological characteristics, the fly was identified as a dipteriae from the family Tachinidae. To determine the species, a molecular genetic analysis was conducted.

gDNA was extracted using the CTAB method. Barcoding was performed using universal primers targeting 16S rRNA (5'-TARTYCAACATCGRGGTC-3' and 5'-CYGTRCDAAGGTAGCATA-3') gene. Then, species identification was performed using ONT sequencing. Reads were mapped against a database of 88274 dipteran rRNA sequences using minimap2 (V.2.28), further processed with SAMtools (V.1.21). Quality metrics visualized in R (V.4.4.2) using Rsamtools and ggplot2 packages.

The sequencing analysis generated 5,066 total reads, of which 4,751 (93.78%) were successfully mapped to reference sequences. A total of 704 reads were mapped to the Phryxe heraclei mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene (GenBank accession no. AB465921.1), with mapping quality scores (MAPQ) ranging from 40 to 60. While other species such as Pexopsis pilosa and Bothria japonica showed mapped reads, these alignments were predominantly of low quality (MAPQ <20) with scattered coverage patterns.

A literature analysis showed that this parasitoid is one of the main natural enemies of the spongy moth in the Far East. However, there are no data on its detection or research in Kazakhstan. Nevertheless, the molecular analysis provided strong evidence supporting the identification of the parasitoid as Phryxe heraclei.

This research was funded by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Program No. BR22887230).

The codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.) is a widely distributed harmful pest in Kazakhstan that affects agricultural crops, primarily fruits such as apples. Despite its economic significance, its molecular identification had not been conducted in the country before this study.

A total of 91 fruit samples infested with C. pomonella larvae were collected in orchards across Almaty and Zhetysu (Kazakhstan), as well as the Jalal-Abad regions (Kyrgyzstan). In orchards, fruit pests were misidentified as G. molesta due to the lack of molecular identification, distorting quarantine pest statistics.

Genomic DNA was isolated using the CTAB method. Partial sequences of the 16S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) genes were amplified and sequenced using Oxford Nanopore Technology (MinION Mk1B). Mapping to reference 16S rRNA sequences NC_020003.2 (C. pomonella) and KT004682.1 (G. molesta), as well as to reference COI sequences PP991409.1 (C. pomonella) and PQ876920.1 (G. molesta), was performed using Minimap2, and post-alignment metrics were calculated with SAMtools. The distribution of these metrics was visualized using ggplot2 in R.

Sequencing data from 91 samples exhibited a mean sequence identity of 93.31% to the reference sequences of C. pomonella and 90.5% to G. molesta. Mapping quality scores ranged from 40 to 60, with an average sequencing depth of ~1,300× and a mean coverage of 99.83%. The high sequence identity to C. pomonella reference sequences across both mitochondrial markers provides strong molecular confirmation that all collected specimens belonged to C. pomonella rather than G. molesta. These findings underscore the need to revise pest identification methods, as the widespread misclassification of pests can impact quarantine measures and pest management strategies. These results highlight the importance of implementing accurate molecular diagnostic techniques to ensure reliable pest monitoring and control.

This research was funded by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Program No. BR22887230).

This work focused on the evaluation of insecticidal activity by the fumigation of essential oils of Laurus nobilis and Thymus vulgaris and the formulations encapsulated in a powder matrix obtained from shrimp and chitosan against adult Rhyzopertha dominica. Chromatographic analyses identified 21 and 16 compounds, respectively, for T. vulgaris and L. nobilis essential oils, including 1,8-cineole (43.23 %), α-Terpinene (17.47 % ) and β-Linalool (14.86 %) for L. nobilis, and Carvacrol (75.01 %) and o-cymene (7.93 %) for T. vulgaris. The fumigant toxicity of crude essential oils depended on the concentration and storage period. Indeed, after 10 days of storage, LC₅₀ values were 73.19 and 81.92 µL/ L air,respectively, for L. nobilis and T. vulgaris compared to59.85 and 64.66 µL/ L, respectively, after 20 days storage. The characterization of shrimp co-products revealed that the powder contains essential protein (21.24 %) and fats (17.05 %). In addition, these co-products exhibited 10.03 % of moisture content and 26.67 % of ash content. The insecticidal activity of L. nobilis and T. vulgaris essential oil formulations encapsulated in shrimp powder increased during the storage period. The toxicity of the formulations increased significantly with increasing concentration and storage period. Indeed, after 10 days of storage, LC₅₀ values varied from 12.03 to 29.88 g/ L air, respectively, for L. nobilis and T. vulgaris compared to3.65 and 7.78 g/ L air after 30 days of storage. In addition, the formulations decreased the number of emerged larvae. The results of the present study highlighted the promising potential of the formulations prepared from the powder of shrimp co-products for the control of insect pests of stored food.