The American cockroach (Periplaneta americana (L.); Blattodea: Blattidae) is an important peridomestic pest with high significance in public health. This study evaluated the toxicity of eleven gel-based insecticidal gel bait formulations with different modes of action and active ingredients such as abamectin B1, boric acid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, emamectin benzoate, fipronil, imidacloprid, and indoxacarb, against several developmental stages of P. americana (adults of both sexes and nymphs of varying sizes). A completely randomized block design was used to estimate final mortality and median survival times (MSTs) over a 14-day period. Gel baits, preferred for their efficacy in sensitive environments and reduced environmental contamination, demonstrated variable effectiveness. Hotshot (Dinotefuran 0.05%) and Alpine (Dinotefuran 0.5%) did not cause significant mortality (P > 0.05) compared to the control across small and medium nymphal stages. Except for the female adults, these two insecticides were comparatively less effective than others. Combat gel bait (Fipronil 0.01%) and MaxForce FC Magnum (Fipronil 0.05%) exhibited the highest efficacy, achieving the lowest MST of 24-48 hr across all tested stages. All other gel baits were moderately effective for all the developmental stages. Boric acid (33.3%), except for small and large nymphs, was efficient in controlling other stages of P. americana. These findings highlight the potential of fipronil-based gel baits as a reliable tool for managing all the stages of P. americana populations, emphasizing the importance of active ingredient selection for optimal pest control.

Alphitobius diaperinus, the lesser mealworm, is a key pest of poultry in broiler and layer facilities. The highly virulent INTA Mo4-4 strain of Bacillus thuringiensis is the most effective choice for controlling larval A. diaperinus. This study evaluated its sublethal effects on development, survival and fitness. Initially, six concentrations of INTA Mo4-4 spores and crystals were incorporated into the diet of A. diaperinus starting with 4-day-old larvae to assess virulence. Mortality was recorded after 14 d at 28 °C, and LC₃₀ and LC₅₀ were determined from four independent bioassays, yielding values of 69 and 136 µg/ml, respectively. Subsequently, sublethal bioassays using the LC₃₀ and LC₅₀, alongside a control group, determined the effects on surviving larvae. After 14 d at 28 °C, 791 larvae from five independent bioassays were analyzed. Their weights and larval areas were measured and later monitored to determine the durations of their larval and pupal stages, as well as their pupal and adult weights and body areas. Sublethal effects were clear in the LC₃₀ and LC₅₀ treatments, showing significantly reduced weights/areas per larva (0.25 mg/0.97 mm² and 0.20 mg/0.82 mm², respectively) compared to controls (0.37 mg/1.32 mm²). Although these trends persisted, differences were no longer statistically significant for developmental periods, pupae or adult fitness traits. Average larval (76.7, 83.1 and 104.6 days) and pupal periods (5.7, 6.4 and 7.0 days) and pupal (10.08 mg/9.32 mm², 8.75 mg/8.44 mm² and 8.12 mg/7.80 mm²) and adult weights/areas (8.97 mg/9.63 mm²; 7.65 mg/8.54 mm²; and 6.96 mg/7.95 mm²) per specimen followed similar trends across the control, LC₃₀, and LC₅₀ treatments, respectively. This study showed that INTA Mo4-4 induces both mortality and sublethal effects that could affect the development and fitness of A. diaperinus, offering valuable insights for bioinsecticide development targeting this pest.

The agave white worm (Aegiale hesperiaris) is a seasonal larva that is stored frozen (-18 °C) for marketing. However, the effects of freezing the larva on its nutritive and bioactive components have not been studied. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of freezing the white agave larva on its nutritive and bioactive components and evaluated two drying methods subsequently used for its preservation. Larvae collected in 2023 and 2024 were frozen and after thawing at room temperature (~25 °C) and then drying by convection (40 °C) or freeze-drying (-55 °C), their chemical and bioactive constituents were determined. In terms of nutrient composition, GBL24 was the best preservation method. The freezing process had an influence on the chemical composition of the larvae, especially on the soluble compounds that are formed during thawing. For this reason, the insoluble compounds in the larvae collected in 2023 were more than twice as high as in the larvae collected in 2024. Two main fatty acids were detected in the larvae according to their concentration, namely, linolelaidic acid methyl ester (27-42.40%) and methyl palmitate (23.19-33.02%), which decreased after the drying process, while an increase in methyl butyrate and methyl palmitoleate was observed in the freeze-dried samples (0.8-4.67-fold, respectively). Among the entomochemicals present in the larvae that are considered bioactive compounds, alkaloids, triterpenoids, tannins and saponins were identified. Saponins and tannins were the most abundant compounds when methanol was used as an extractant. Freeze-drying preserves the highest concentration of bioactive compounds, while convection drying preserves the highest concentration of fatty acids. In view of the above, the drying process is crucial for the preservation of bioactive compounds and fatty acids.

Background: Malaria remains a major public health concern in Nigeria, particularly in rural communities where environmental and socio-demographic factors drive sustained transmission. Understanding mosquito species composition, abundance, and infection rates is essential for effective vector control interventions.

Methods: This study investigated malaria vector diversity and transmission dynamics in two rural communities, Igbo-Ora and Idere, in southwestern Nigeria. Indoor-resting mosquitoes were collected monthly during the 2022 rainy season using pyrethroid spray collection methods. Collected specimens were morphologically and molecularly identified, and circumsporozoite protein (CSP) ELISA was performed to detect Plasmodium infection.

Results: A total of 739 mosquitoes belonging to three genera (Anopheles, Culex, and Aedes) were collected, with Anopheles species being the most abundant (57.2%). Molecular identification of the Anopheles gambiae complex revealed three sibling species, An. gambiae s.s. (56%), An. coluzzii (31.2%), and An. arabiensis (10.1%), with hybrid forms also detected. An. gambiae s.l. was the primary malaria vector, comprising 70.4% of the Anopheles mosquitoes. Vector density varied between locations, with higher indoor resting density (IRD: 0.45) and man-biting rate (MBR: 0.11) in Idere compared to Igbo-Ora (IRD: 0.04; MBR: 0.01). Sporozoite infection rates were low, with only two An. coluzzii testing positive for Plasmodium falciparum CSP antigen in Igbo-Ora (2.53% infection rate).

Conclusion: The findings highlight the ecological factors influencing malaria vector distribution and transmission dynamics in rural Nigeria. The dominance of An. gambiae s.l. and localized differences in vector abundance emphasize the need for site-specific, adaptive vector control strategies. Continuous surveillance is essential, particularly in the context of insecticide resistance and evolving vector behavior, to enhance malaria intervention programs in endemic regions.

The conservation of insect pollinators is essential for preserving biodiversity and sustaining ecosystem services, particularly in Morocco, where pollination supports both agricultural productivity and wild plant ecosystems. Despite the critical role of pollinators, public understanding of their ecological importance remains limited. This study explores public perceptions of insect pollinators, with a focus on the awareness and attitudes of educated urban youth in Morocco. Over a four-month period, we collected 301 survey responses distributed via online media platforms. The findings indicate that while participants are generally aware of the decline in pollinator populations and the threats they face—such as habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change—there is a significant knowledge gap regarding non-bee pollinators. Honey bees and bumble bees are widely recognized for their pollination roles, but less attention is given to solitary bees, flies, and other pollinating insects that contribute significantly to ecosystem health. These results highlight the urgent need for targeted educational programs to enhance public knowledge of the ecological functions of lesser-known pollinators. Expanding outreach efforts within Morocco's national biodiversity strategy to include diverse demographic groups, including rural and less-educated populations, could further strengthen public engagement in pollinator conservation. This presentation underscores the importance of inclusive, evidence-based strategies to safeguard pollinator diversity and ecosystem resilience.

Citizen science (CS) plays a crucial role in monitoring and conserving biodiversity by actively engaging the public in scientific research and data collection. To explore recent CS initiatives focused on insects globally, we conducted a structured search utilizing SciStarter and the EU-citizen.science platforms, which provide extensive databases of CS projects across various disciplines. Our analysis identified 88 projects specifically targeting insects, either as focal taxa or within broader biodiversity initiatives. Projects were analyzed based on their target taxon and participant tasks. Insect community monitoring emerged as the focus of 29 projects (33.0%), while pollinator-specific initiatives accounted for 16 projects (18.2%). Within the pollinator-focused projects, 9 were specifically dedicated to monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) (10.2%), and 8 projects centered on bees, including honey bees (Apis mellifera) and bumblebees (Bombus spp.) (9.1%). Other insect groups, such as moths and beetles, represented 11.4% of the projects, while dragonflies constituted 6.8%. Less than 5% of initiatives targeted taxa like caterpillars, ants, mosquitoes, and fireflies, indicating a limited emphasis on these groups. Participant tasks across the projects were categorized into three main areas: wildlife monitoring (tracking species populations and documenting seasonal changes), biodiversity documentation (mapping various species), and community engagement (involving citizens in conservation efforts through training and reporting observations). Multi-taxon approaches were widely adopted, with initiatives monitoring insects, arthropods, and freshwater macroinvertebrates, capturing broader biodiversity patterns. Notably, over 15 invasive species, including the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) and brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys), were tracked to support early detection and mitigation efforts. Observations also revealed key ecological interactions, including pollinator–plant networks, caterpillar–foliage arthropod dynamics, and ant–habitat associations. However, a gap identified in many CS initiatives is the absence of an interdisciplinary approach, particularly in incorporating social dimensions, which limits collaboration among stakeholders and undermines the potential impact of conservation efforts.

Mountainous ecosystems are biodiversity refugia and centers of endemism. This study explores the Orthoptera communities in the Tymphi and Smolikas mountains within the Northern Pindos National Park in Greece (sites of the Natura 2000 network). We selected 11 montane pastures per mountain, including grasslands and forest clearings (1,250 to 1,940 m). We recorded the presence of Orthoptera and 20 microhabitat parameters in three 5 x 5 m plots per site every 150 m and repeated this three times (pooled seasonal data for June-September 2022: 66 plots in total). Furthermore, we randomly searched for red-listed species and recorded the microhabitat parameters in their presence (35 additional plots). The study area has high ecological value, hosting 70 grasshopper species (54 species recorded in the current study), including 10 globally red-listed species and 3 endemics. The Canonical Correspondence Analysis showed that elevation, mean herb/grass height, flowerhead abundance, stony cover, and shrub cover regulated the Orthoptera community composition (CCA: 14% of the variance explained) and that elevation, flowerhead abundance, shrub cover, and litter cover regulated the red-listed Orthoptera community (CCA: 32% of the variance explained). Orthoptera species richness was predicted by herbaceous plant cover, mean herb/grass height, mean shrub height, and flowerhead abundance (a positive effect), as well as litter cover (a negative effect) (Generalized Linear Model: 43% of the deviance explained). Our findings highlight the importance of food resources (herbaceous plant cover and herb/grass height) and shrub availability, providing shelter and thermoregulation, for grasshopper conservation. Further research is recommended to investigate the impact of cattle overgrazing and the role of mild sheep/goat grazing for mountainous Orthoptera communities. Our fieldwork was supported by the Feraki Fund.

Social facilitation highlights a phenomenon among individuals forming groups associated with behavioral changes that are induced due to the presence of other conspecific organisms. Such an event happens through group interactions between these individuals further increasing in frequency or intensity with time. Bibliographic research has revealed the presence of such activity among insect orders (Blattodea, Isoptera, and Hymenoptera). The present investigation attempted to explore such aggregation-stimulating behavior among Lepidoptera (Superfamily: Papilionoidea) across the Himalayan foothills of West Bengal, India. Specially designed transects (500-800 m) were laid across the study site for observation of the cluster formation among adult butterflies. The mean number of butterfly species was noted at each cluster to determine the Resource Preference Index (RPI). Wing wear was used to ascertain the age of the butterflies, as wings are not repaired with age. Hierarchical clustering was used to illustrate the similarity in the duration of the association of a species with its resource. The association of butterflies at mud puddles and pond edges, in damp soil, and on carrion, animal dung, and bird droppings was significant. The formation of such aggregations exclusively by Papilioninae (Family: Papilionidae), Coliadinae, and Pierinae (Family: Pieridae) is worth mentioning. Danainae (Family: Nymphalidae) practiced pharmacophagy (gathering pyrrolizidine alkaloids) by aggregating on dead, damaged, or withered plant species (Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, and Fabaceae). During puddling on non-floral resources, butterflies, i.e, Graphium, Chilasa, Papilio, Eurema, Catopsilia, Colotis, Ixias, and Appias, gather supplementary nutrients. Such activity is generally performed predominantly by younger males and rarely by older females. Euploea, Tirumala, and Danaus are known to engage in the repeated scratching of dried plant parts to gather pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Such alkaloids serve as male pheromones stimulating courtship. Thus, social facilitation among Papilionoidea occurs to enhance its resource acquisition and decrease predation risk through increased vigilance and dilution effects.

Fireflies, renowned for their bioluminescence, are increasingly threatened by traffic pollution, anthropogenic pressures, and habitat disruption. This study, conducted in 2023 along Charmadi ghat (13°03′25″N and 75°25′40″E), Chikkamangaluru, Karnataka, investigated the effects of traffic-related pollution—such as light, noise, and air pollutants—on firefly behaviour and population dynamics.

We measured traffic volume by directly counting vehicle passes on Charmadi Road, noise using a sound level meter (IEC 61672 class 1), light intensity using a lux meter (LX-101A), and air pollutants (RSPM, SPM). A survey involving 1,500 participants assessed perceived threats.

Noise levels reached a maximum of 68.12 dB near the road, approaching the suggested threshold of 74 dB at 10 meters for impacting fireflies (STIS, 2021). Heavy vehicles, such as trucks (82.64 lx) and buses (92.08 lx), exhibited the highest light intensity. Measured air pollutants included RSPM at 24.479 µg/m³ and SPM at 36.6319 µg/m³. The survey revealed that artificial lighting is perceived as a primary factor in firefly decline, with deforestation, flooding, and agricultural chemical use also cited as significant threats.

The observed noise and elevated air pollutant levels contribute to habitat degradation, potentially forcing fireflies to relocate and impeding their ecological functions. The high light intensity from heavy vehicles may disrupt firefly bioluminescence, mating behaviour, and predator–prey interactions. These particulate matter levels suggest potential long-term impacts on firefly habitats, warranting further investigation. The participant survey supports these findings, highlighting the role of artificial lighting and other anthropogenic pressures in firefly population decline. This research emphasizes the critical significance of managing artificial lighting pollution. Furthermore, the findings indicate that firefly ecotourism can positively contribute to the economy while reinforcing conservation efforts and research initiatives aimed at firefly preservation. The study concludes that addressing traffic-related pollution and promoting sustainable practices are essential for conserving firefly populations in this region.

Insects play dual roles in agriculture—they can be indispensable allies or formidable adversaries. Advances in genetic engineering, particularly with tools like CRISPR-Cas9, now offer the potential to reshape this dynamic by influencing insect behavior through neural pathway manipulation. This presentation delves into cutting-edge methods for modifying specific genes in insects to alter behaviors such as foraging, mating, and social interactions. By doing so, pests can be transformed into valuable contributors to ecological restoration or optimized for enhanced pollination, providing novel solutions to critical agricultural challenges.

Insects’ relatively simple yet informative neural systems make them ideal models for such modifications. This research presents a transformative approach to pest control, reducing the dependency on chemical pesticides and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, genetically modified insects could significantly enhance pollination efficiency, improving crop yields and contributing to global food security. However, with great potential comes great responsibility. Ethical and ecological safeguards are paramount to ensure that these innovations are applied thoughtfully and without unintended consequences. This presentation also addresses the safety protocols and ethical considerations necessary to responsibly advance this research. By leveraging genetic insights into insect neural pathways, this work seeks to revolutionize pest management and pollination, paving the way for a sustainable future while deepening our understanding of the indispensable role insects play in ecosystems.