ABSTRACT

Fruits of the Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica), rich in nutrients and biologically important phytochemicals, are susceptible to infestations by various insect pests, leading to significant crop damage. Among these pests, the gooseberry mealybug Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, affecting multiple economically important crops. The aphid fly, Spalgis epius (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), is recognized as a natural predator of mealybugs across different agricultural settings. This study presents the first recorded instance of S. epius preying on N. viridis in gooseberry plantations. Field observations were conducted in Vidyanagar, Kasaragod, Kerala, India (12°31′02.8"N, 75°00′44.9"E), where S. epius was identified to be predating on various life stages of N. viridis. The life cycle of S. epius was subsequently studied under laboratory conditions to assess its development while feeding exclusively on N. viridis. Spalgis epius completed its life cycle in an average of 30.47 ± 1.55 days. The mean developmental durations for the egg, first to fifth instar larvae, and prepupal stages were 4.31 ± 0.28, 2.5 ± 0.37, 3.52 ± 0.39, 3.46 ± 0.36, 3.4 ± 0.35, and 3.01 ± 0.35 days, respectively. The pupal stage lasted an average of 10 ± 1.67 days. Adults reared under laboratory conditions had an average body length of 1.1 ± 0.07 cm and a wingspan of 2.18 ± 0.06 cm. This study provides novel insights into the predatory behavior and life cycle of S. epius on the gooseberry mealybug N. viridis, highlighting its potential as a biological control agent. Further research into the ecological interactions between S. epius and mealybugs is crucial to evaluate its effectiveness in integrated pest management strategies for P. emblica cultivation.

Brinjal is a highly cultivated vegetable in Bangladesh facing significant yield challenges due to pest infestations. This has led to innovative solutions in pest management such as the introduction of transgenic brinjal. We explored the seasonal patterns of insect pest incidences on genetically modified (Bt) and non-genetically modified (non-Bt) brinjal varieties. This study compared the incidence and infestation of the major insect pests in two different genotypes of brinjal: BARI Bt brinjal 2 and BARI brinjal 4. The experiment was conducted on a central farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, in rabi season. The primary pests documented included the brinjal shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis), jassid (Amrasca biguttula biguttula), aphid (Aphis gossypii), whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), and epilachna beetle (Epilachna dodecastigma). Results indicated that shoot and fruit borer incidence was notably lower in Bt brinjal compared to non-Bt counterparts, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Bt gene in reducing damage. Conversely, non-target pests such as aphids, jassids, and whiteflies showed no significant differences in population levels between the two brinjal types, emphasizing that Bt modification did not extend protection against these sucking pests. The seasonal peak for the shoot and fruit borer was observed from mid-February to March, coinciding with the reproductive stage of the crop, where infestations surged, resulting in substantial damage to non-Bt brinjal. Epilachna beetle populations peaked in late February, correlating with favorable temperature and humidity. These findings reveal that while Bt brinjal effectively mitigates damage from specific borers, an integrated pest management approach is essential for comprehensive control, particularly for non-target sucking pests. This dual strategy could pave the way for more resilient and sustainable brinjal cultivation in Bangladesh.

Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are significant agricultural pests, recognized for their role as vectors of plant viruses and their direct damage to crops through sap extraction, impacting growth, vigor, and yield. Monitoring aphid populations is crucial for integrated pest management (IPM), enabling early detection and minimizing reliance on chemical control measures. This study aimed to examine the distribution, species composition, and population dynamics of aphids across six agricultural sites in South Africa—Christiana, Douglas, Cedara, Underberg, Fort Nottingham, and Highflight—using data from bucket and suction traps between 2006 and 2021. As part of a pilot study, bucket traps were initially deployed at a single site in Christiana to collect ground-level aphids at weekly intervals. These traps collected aphids from 31 species within 21 genera. Subsequently, suction traps were deployed continuously at six sites to capture airborne aphids as part of a national-scale monitoring effort. Aphids were morphologically identified, resulting in 168,869 individuals representing 68 species from 47 genera. Aphididae dominated (94.3%), followed by Pemphigidae (4%), with 1.4% unidentified. Rhopalosiphum padi was the most abundant species (31.4%), likely due to its polyphagous feeding behavior and year-round reproduction, supported by key host plants like maize, wheat, and potatoes. Seasonal peaks in abundance occurred in spring and autumn, correlating with moderate temperatures and host plant availability. Extreme summer and winter conditions led to population declines. Warmer, low-elevation regions (Christiana, Douglas) supported higher aphid populations compared to cooler, high-elevation sites (Cedara, Underberg, Fort Nottingham, Highflight). These findings provide insights into aphid ecology, offering a baseline for pest management strategies at a national level. Future research should integrate factors like pesticide regimes, host plant diversity, and viral transmission dynamics to improve pest and disease control.

A field study was conducted to assess the resistance of four cabbage varieties to the Diamondback Moth (DBM, Plutella xylostella) under field conditions. The trial took place during the growing season of 2020–2021 at the Agricultural Research Station, University of Basrah, Iraq. The results revealed statistically significant differences in the DBM population density between the cabbage varieties. The red cabbage varieties Hanar and Kirmizi exhibited significantly lower densities of larvae and pupae compared with the white variety Dalal, which showed the highest infestation levels. This study explored the role of morphological traits and phytochemicals—including plant pigments (chlorophyll a, b, total, carotene, and anthocyanin), proteins, carbohydrates, phenols, and glucosinolates—in cabbage's defense against DBM. The red varieties Hanar and Kirmizi were found to have a thick cuticle, epidermal layers, and parenchymal cells compared with the susceptible variety Dalal. The glucosinolate profiles of the studied cabbage varieties revealed several compounds, including progoitrin, glucoraphanin, sinigrin, gluconapin, glucoiberverin, glucoberferoin, glucoalyssin, goitrin, and sulforaphaneolate. The lower infestation levels on Kirmizi correlated with its higher concentrations of anthocyanin, carotene, phenols, and the glucosinolates progoitrin and goitrin. This study highlights the importance of selecting cabbage varieties with specific anatomical traits as a key element in integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to prevent DBM infestation.

The management of stored-grain insect pests, Sitophilus oryzae and Tribolium castaneum, can be enhanced through combined gamma radiation and plant-derived essential oils. This study assesses the potential of Cobalt-60 γ-radiation together with Citrus aurantium essential oil (CAEO) as an alternative to synthetic fumigants. Lethality was assessed for single γ-radiation treatments, applied at 20 doses (100-2000 Gy at 3.98 kGy/h), and CAEO fumigation at five concentrations (16.66-100 µL/L air). Combined effects were evaluated using sublethal CAEO concentrations (S. oryzae: LC₅: 8.87 µL/L air; LC₁₀: 15.40 µL/L air; T. castaneum: LC₅: 6.45 µL/L air; LC₁₀: 15.68 µL/L air) with sublethal γ-radiation doses (S. oryzae: LD₅: 260 Gy; LD₁₀: 305 Gy; T. castaneum: LD₅: 598 Gy; LD₁₀: 710 Gy). After 72 h, mortality rates for S. oryzae following single γ-radiation treatments were 14% (100–500 Gy), 82% (600–1000 Gy), and 100% (1100-2000 Gy), while for T. castaneum, they were 2% (100–500 Gy), 16.4% (600–1000 Gy), 34.8% (1100-1500 Gy), and 84% (1500-2000 Gy). CAEO alone induced 12-50% mortality. Combined treatments significantly increased mortality (66-86% for S. oryzae and 44-58% for T. castaneum), demonstrating synergistic effects and notably reducing the required radiation dose by ~4-fold for S. oryzae and ~3-fold for T. castaneum. For S. oryzae, LD_5(γ) combined with LC_5(CAEO) and LC_10(CAEO) yielded synergism indices of 0.489 and 0.469, while LD_10(γ) combinations produced indices of 0.492 and 0.474. For T. castaneum, LD_5(γ) with LC_5(CAEO) and LC_10(CAEO) resulted in synergism indices of 0.482 and 0.530, and LD_10(γ) yielded 0.560 and 0.567 in combination. The radiation doses in this study remained well below the IAEA’s recommended 1000 Gy threshold for stored-grain pest disinfestation. Combining sublethal radiation doses with CAEO enhanced insect mortality, suggesting that lower radiation doses could be used effectively, potentially reducing concerns about high-dose irradiation and offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic fumigants for managing stored-grain pests.

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is an important pest of crucifers distributed along different climatic regions of the world. Experiments were carried out at different temperature regimes, viz., 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36˚C, in Open-Top Chambers. Observations made on the life cycle parameters of P. xylostella at different temperatures were used for developing forecasting models. The prediction models developed using Insect Life Cycle Modeling (ILCYM) showed that the developmental rate and developmental duration of different life stages of P. xylostella decreased when there was an increase in temperature, whereas the mortality, senescence and fecundity of P. xylostella increased with elevated temperatures. We also observed the non-viability of P. xylostella eggs when the temperature reached 36˚C. The prediction models showed that the upper threshold temperature for the complete development of P. xylostella larvae into adults was between 34 and 35˚C. The lifetime fecundity and cumulative oviposition rate were also temperature-dependent. The phenology models predicted 32˚C as the most favourable temperature for the survival of eggs, larvae and pupae. Geospatial modeling of P. xylostella risk, based on the outputs of a temperature-driven phenology model linked to GIS, will allow for a detailed analysis of the impact of climate change on the future invasiveness and spread of this pest in various parts in the context of global climate change.

The increasing global population has significantly raised the demand for food production, leading to a substantial rise in waste generation. It is estimated that around 998 million tons of agricultural waste is produced worldwide each year, yet only 16% is recycled, while 46% is discarded. According to a 2019 report, global food waste amounted to 1 billion metric tons, with households generating approximately 570 million metric tons, representing 61% of the total waste. To address these challenges, various waste management strategies have been introduced. One promising method gaining widespread attention is entomocomposting, the use of insects to convert organic waste into valuable resources such as food, animal feed, and other eco-friendly products. In particular, black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) have emerged as an effective solution for recycling organic waste while producing protein-rich biomass. Additionally, insect frass, composed of unconsumed substrate, feces, and exuviae, is a nutrient-rich material containing beneficial microbes, making it a valuable organic fertilizer. This bioconversion process aids in soil remediation, enhances soil fertility, and boosts crop productivity. The organic waste market is projected to grow from USD 39.02 billion in 2023 to USD 53.46 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period. This review examines the role of insect-based organic waste management in sustainable agriculture and its potential to drive the transition toward a circular economy.

Plasmodium knowlesi is a significant cause of simian (zoonotic) malaria in Sarawak, Malaysia. Until 2018, only one study had been carried out in Sarawak to identify of P. knowlesi, where Anopheles latens was incriminated as the vector in Kapit Sarawak. A comprehensive entomological investigation was conducted in Limbang, Sarawak, following an imported Plasmodium falciparum malaria case in March 2018. The objective was to identify the vector species and determine the presence of malaria parasites in mosquitoes. Human Landing Catch (HLC) and Human Bait Trap (HBT) sampling were conducted from April 18 to 21, 2018, between 1800 and 2400 hours. Female Anopheles mosquitoes were captured, identified by means of microscopy, and dissected to examine oocysts and sporozoites. Positive slides and the remaining undissected Anopheles were sent to the Malaysian Institute of Medical Research (IMR) for species confirmation by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and molecular testing for malaria parasites. A total of 117 female Anopheles mosquitoes were examined. Of these, 29 were identified as Anopheles donaldi based on their morphology, while the rest comprised An. leucosphyrus, An. barbirostris and An. kochi. One An. donaldi that was dissected was found to have oocysts on its midgut and confirmed as P. knowlesi through molecular analysis. Molecular testing of 36 specimens also revealed 4 abdominal and 2 thoracic samples that were positive for P. knowlesi, including the sample slide, and 6 abdominal and 1 thoracic sample that were positive for P. vivax. This study marks the first report of P. knowlesi in An. donaldi (Barbirostris group) in Sarawak, Malaysia, a species that was not previously associated with Plasmodium knowlesi. These findings suggest that Anopheles species outside of the An. leucosphyrus group may also serve as vectors for P. knowlesi. The detection of both P. knowlesi and P. vivax in mosquitoes indicates the vulnerability of this locality to malaria transmission, emphasizing the need for sustained malaria control efforts.

This research aimed to develop and implement strategies for the sustainable protection and enhancement of Bombus haemorrhoidalis populations to support mountain food systems in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). We conducted a comprehensive assessment of B. haemorrhoidalis habitats, identifying critical areas that required protection. Field surveys and habitat mapping were performed to monitor population trends and determine factors affecting bumblebee health and distribution. The study examined the impact of agricultural practices, pesticide usage, and climate change on B. haemorrhoidalis populations. Community engagement and education were integral to the research, involving local farmers and stakeholders through participatory workshops and training sessions to promote pollinator-friendly farming practices. Emphasis was placed on organic farming techniques, reduction of pesticide application, and creation of flower-rich habitats to provide foraging and nesting resources for bumblebees. To ensure long-term sustainability, we developed policy recommendations for the conservation of B. haemorrhoidalis and other pollinators in AJK, collaborating with local government bodies, NGOs, and international conservation organizations to implement these policies effectively. The findings contributed to enhancing the resilience of mountain food systems by securing pollination services, thereby supporting agricultural productivity and biodiversity. The strategies developed served as a model for the conservation of other indigenous pollinators in similar mountainous regions, ensuring food security and ecological balance.

The emergence of pesticide resistance in major cole crop pests poses a significant threat to global Brassica production, with annual losses exceeding USD 4.5 billion worldwide. This study investigated resistance patterns in three primary pest species—Plutella xylostella (diamondback moth), Brevicoryne brassicae (cabbage aphid), and Trichoplusia ni (cabbage looper)—across 87 commercial farms in major cole crop-producing regions during 2020-2023. Bioassays were conducted using five commonly applied pesticide classes: pyrethroids, organophosphates, carbamates, diamides, and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) formulations. The results revealed significant resistance development, with P. xylostella showing 15-fold to 87-fold resistance to pyrethroids and 8-fold to 23-fold resistance to diamides. B. brassicae populations exhibited moderate resistance levels (5-fold to 12-fold) to organophosphates, while T. ni demonstrated emerging resistance to Bt products (3-fold to 7-fold). Molecular analysis identified key resistance mechanisms, including target-site mutations in the sodium channel gene (kdr) and enhanced metabolic detoxification through elevated P450 and esterase activity. The implementation of a novel resistance monitoring protocol, integrating biochemical markers and field-based bioassays, enabled the early detection of resistance development with 89% accuracy. Economic analysis indicated that early resistance detection reduced pest management costs by 32% through timely intervention strategies. This research establishes a comprehensive framework for proactive resistance management in cole crops, emphasizing the importance of regular monitoring and resistance mechanism characterization for sustainable pest control.