The identification of plant pests is crucial for effective phytosanitary monitoring and agricultural decision-making. The traditional identification methods often require expert knowledge and manual examinations, making them time-consuming and prone to inconsistencies. This study proposes a deep-learning-based approach to automating the identification of Halyomorpha halys.

Methods: The dataset comprised 10,000 labeled images of adult H. halys specimens. A Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) was implemented using TensorFlow and Keras. The data preprocessing included image augmentation, resizing, and normalization to improve the model generalization. The CNN architecture incorporated Global Average Pooling, dropout layers, and dense layers for robust identification. The model was trained on a stratified dataset using categorical cross-entropy loss and the Adam optimizer. The training progress was monitored through loss convergence and accuracy metrics.

Results: The trained model achieved a identification accuracy of 85-95% on the test set, with precision, recall, and F1-score values of 0.85-0.95, 0.80-0.93, and 0.82-0.94, respectively. The confusion matrix analysis revealed that the pest was correctly identified 85-95% of the time. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC-AUC) curve was 0.90-0.98, indicating a high level of discriminatory capability. The validation loss and accuracy trends indicated minimal overfitting, suggesting a well-generalized model. Additionally, an error analysis was performed to point out misidentified instances, revealing potential areas for improvement through additional data augmentation or hyperparameter tuning.

Conclusion: This study validates the feasibility of CNN-based identification for adult plant pests using a phenotypic image analysis. The proposed method enhances the automated monitoring capabilities, reducing the need for manual inspections. Future work will focus on expanding the dataset and refining the model to improve the identification accuracy in real-world applications.

Every year, 40% of all crops are lost due to plant pests and diseases, with pest insects costing the global economy approximately USD 70B. Pesticides have undesirable environmental effects and are becoming less effective against target pests. The use of green lacewings (from the family Chrysopidae) as biological pest control has risen recently, but the cannibalism displayed in lacewing larvae contributes to their low survivability rates and variability in performance. This can be addressed through behavioral conditioning. Citronella oil disrupts hunting behavior by interfering with lacewings' olfactory receptors and can be utilized to condition lacewings without harming them. Y-Maze bioassays indicated that when all four experimental groups (first instar solitary, first instar grouped, second instar solitary, and second instar grouped) were combined, behavioral conditioning was successful at reducing their cannibalistic tendencies towards lacewing eggs by 82% (p < 0.001). On average, the lacewings trained in solitary environments reduced their cannibalistic behavior by 87% (p < 0.01), while those trained in environments with other lacewings reduced their cannibalistic behavior by 77%, with the p-value indicating near-significance (p = 0.0513). The lacewings conditioned at the second instar effectively reduced their cannibalistic behavior by 99% (p < 0.01), but those conditioned at the first instar did not, with an average reduction of 65% and a p-value indicating near-significance (p = 0.0542). These results indicate that lacewing larvae are capable of learning through citronella-based behavioral conditioning and their cannibalistic behavior can be more effectively reduced when they are trained at the second instar in solitary settings. This study’s implications align with efforts to utilize green lacewings as biological pest control in agricultural settings and their role in the global effort to reduce our pesticide dependency and combat pest-induced crop loss.

As climate change rapidly occurs, it is essential to understand how temperature impacts the behavior and physiology of small ectotherms such as insects. Insects are influenced by the temperature in terms of survival, development, and physiology. To exogenously regulate their body temperature, insects often exhibit escape behavior to navigate to preferred temperatures. In insects such as D. melanogaster larvae, the TRPA1 channel is activated by warm temperatures (>26°C), and the larva senses temperature changes. However, there is limited research on how the temperature influences sensory stimuli, which holds implications for ectothermic survival under climate change. Thus, this study investigated the comparative effects of temperature and TRPA1 overexpression in various sensory neurons and muscle tissues on the (1) mechanotransduction, (2) locomotion, (3) thermotaxis, and (4) membrane potential of D. melanogaster and Lucilia sericata larvae. First, the head–abdomen–tail assay was performed by means of a tap to each area with a monofilament. Second, body wall movements and mouth hook movements assays were performed. All behavioral assays were conducted at 20°C and 33°C with second- and third-instar larvae. Next, larvae of the same genetic strains or species were placed in Petri dishes to assess their thermal preference zones using IR imaging. Finally, intracellular electrophysiological recordings were conducted in muscles to determine the effects on the resting membrane potential. The results revealed behavioral differences due to localized stimuli, temperatures, larval stages, and TRPA1 channel overexpression.

Introduction Fire influences species abundance, community composition and structure, and ecosystem functions in Mediterranean ecosystems. In Italy, the incidence of wildfires has markedly increased, yet the ecological responses—particularly regarding biodiversity and invertebrate species—remain largely unknown. In July 2023, severe wildfires devastated natural reserve areas near Palermo, Italy, which are part of the Natura 2000 network. Between 2010 and 2015, a monitoring initiative focused on the butterfly biodiversity in these areas. After the catastrophic fires of 2023, research aimed to evaluate the impact on Lepidoptera biodiversity at the same sites and transects that were established eight years earlier.

Methods Three habitats affected by 2023 fires were selected: 1) F5.53: Ampelodesmos mauritanica-dominated garrigue areas - SCI ITA020023; 2) F5.5: Thermo-Mediterranean scrub - SCI ITA020023; and 3) F5.5: Coastal Thermo-Mediterranean scrub - SCI ITA020006. Data from bi-weekly butterfly surveys conducted from June 2010 to December 2015 were compared with data collected from September 2023 to December 2024. For each habitat, monitoring transects were established, and all data were included in a database to analyze the species occurrence patterns and flight periods. Butterflies' responses to fire were assessed by comparing specific biodiversity indices, including the abundance and species richness. A statistical analysis of the monthly species abundance was conducted to evaluate the effects of fires on the community structure.

Results The overall effect of the fires on the abundance and richness of butterflies was negative across all habitats, which was particularly pronounced in the early post-fire communities for some species. The taxonomic resolution influenced the observed impacts; analyses at the species/genus and family levels revealed significant effects. The Lepidoptera abundance showed a notable negative response in the coastal Thermo-Mediterranean scrub.

Conclusions Although some research suggests that butterflies tend to recover after wildfires, our findings highlight the negative impact of fires on lepidopteran populations, particularly in specific habitats. Monitoring post-fire butterfly dynamics is essential, as changing global fire regimes significantly influence lepidopteran community dynamics.

Lysozymes are essential enzymes in innate immunity, hydrolyzing bacterial cell walls. In Insecta, C-type and I-type lysozymes are conserved and play dual roles in immunity and digestion. Lysozyme gene dosage effects that are linked to copy number variation may influence their functional efficacy. This study investigates the distribution and evolution of lysozyme-like genes across Insecta. Genomes and protein files from 302 insect species were retrieved from the NCBI RefSeq database, maintaining the species with BUSCO above 90%. Alternative splicing isoforms were filtered using AGAT, retaining only the longest isoforms. Orthologous groups were identified using OrthoFinder and classified into C-type or I-type lysozymes through BLASTP and InterProScan analyses based on the predicted domains for the sequences. Phylogenetic reconstruction was performed with IQ-TREE using a constriction tree based on the literature, while gene family expansion/contraction events were analyzed using GeneRax. The conservation of active sites was evaluated via sequence alignment against the Gallus gallus C-type lysozyme (53-E; 70-D) and Crassostrea virginica I-type lysozyme (83-E; 94-D). Our analysis revealed 1,834 C-type and 886 I-type lysozyme-like sequences. Only 1,203 C-type sequences retained conserved active sites, with none being observed in Hymenoptera genomes, except for the groups Tenthredinoideam Ichneumonoidea and Vespoidea. Conversely, no Insecta I-type sequences exhibited conserved active sites. Phylogenetic reconciliation identified major duplication events during the Paleoptera–Neoptera split, with subsequent lineage-specific duplications and losses. Our results showed that Lysozyme-like genes exhibit significant variations in their copy number and sequence conservation across Insecta. The absence of conserved active sites in I-type sequences implies functional diversification beyond canonical muramidase activity; the absence of these sites in the majority of the Hymenoptera C-type lysozymes is otherwise potentially linked to taxon-specific adaptations, since several species of this group exhibit social immunity behavior. Our findings underscore the dynamic evolutionary history of lysozymes, highlighting their roles in immunity, digestion, and lineage-specific biological processes.

Sexual dimorphism (SD) in different morphological traits (both non-sexual and secondary sexual traits), colour pattern, ornamentation, and behavioral repertoire has been analyzed in different animal species. It can be defined more precisely when its two different components, sexual size dimorphism (SSD) and sexual shape dimorphism (SShD), are analyzed separately. In spite of the fact that SSD and SShD are equally relevant components of sexual dimorphism, SShD has not been the subject of a large number of zoological studies. Both SSD and SShD in some morphological traits have been poorly analyzed in Drosophila simulans. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of SSD and SShD in three morphological structures (the head, the wing, and the leg) in D. simulans. To analyze SSD and SShD in the abovementioned morphological traits, the geometric morphometric approach was applied. D. simulans flies were reared on a standard cornmeal–agar–yeast medium under constant laboratory conditions (25⁰C, humidity of 60%, and 12h L: 12h D cycle). Fifty individuals per sex were analyzed. TpsDig software was used to digitize different landmark points placed on the morphological structure: 12 landmarks were placed on the head, 15 landmarks were placed on each wing, and 28 landmarks were placed on each leg. The SShD of the aforementioned morphological structures was analyzed using Canonical Variate Analysis in MorphoJ program, whereas their SSD was evaluated using the CoordGen6 program. All statistical analyses of CS variation were conducted using the R program. Sexual shape dimorphism was significant in all morphological structures: the head (p < 0.0001), the wing (p < 0.0001), and the leg (p = 0.0027). Also, sexual size dimorphism was expressed and significant for all investigated structures (p < 0.0001). The significant sexual size and shape differences in all the analyzed morphological structures indicate that different evolutionary pressures are present in D. simulans males and females.

Eurylomata picturata (Miridae: Mirinae: Resthenini) is a plant bug that is native to Argentina and Chile. E. picturata is associated with some crops, especially potatoes; however, our knowledge of the bug is sparse. In this work, we report the first record of the species in a native shrub, Fuchsia magellanica (Onagraceae), in Temuco, South Chile. Additionally, four of the known morphs (pluto, picturata, delta, torquata) were observed together, as were their intermediates. These morphs currently have a range of subspecies, and we propose to synonymize all of them. In our collections, we observed nymphs and exuviae that were collected with the adults, confirming the association with the host plant. As the immature specimens of this species were previously unknown, the V nymph was described, whose main diagnostic characteristics are the following: General coloration blackish with orange ornaments, mainly on the eyes, and a longitudinal midline from the head to protoscutellum, as well as the anterior third of the abdomen. Head is subtriangular, and first antennomere is longer than the head and rostrum, reaching the mesothorax. Thorax with trapezoidal pronotum and pterothecae reaching half of the abdomen, surpassing protoscutellum. Dorsal abdominal gland opening between abdominal segments III and IV, located on a shiny black tubercle.

The information here contradicts previous information, which only locates this species in low herbs, expanding their habitat to high plants (3-4-meter shrubs). In addition, we observed copulation behavior on different morphs, as well as carrion feeding in adult females on dead specimens, which was recorded for the first time on this species. The new information is discussed and analyzed, and finally, the distribution is corrected, locating this species between Coquimbo and Los Lagos Region in Chile and Río Negro in Argentina.

The essential oils (EOs) of aromatic plants have shown promise in the control of crop pests whereas their encapsulation in biodegradable and biocompatible nanosystem carriers may increase their bioactivity. In this work, the EOs of three aromatic plants, Mentha pulegium L., Ocimum basilicum L. and Origanum majorana L. encapsulated in yeast cells and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) were evaluated for their potential in the control of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae). The chemical profile of each EO was determined using the GC-MS technique. Contact toxicity and repellency bioassays were conducted. In the former case, nymphal mortality was recorded daily for 7 days post treatment and in the latter case, the number of adults on each side of a bean leaf disc which had been previously half-dipped in each emulsion or encapsulated oil recorded 1h, 2h, 4h and 24h after treatment. Finally, their side effects were explored in the case of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae). The main components of M. pulegium, O. majorana and O. basilicum EO was pulegone (66.5%), terpinen-4-ol (40.6%) and linalool (49.8%), respectively. The results showed that M. pulegium EO caused a 58% mortality rate on nymphs while the encapsulated oil in β-CD and yeast cells showed remarkably increased mortality rates (88% and 90%, respectively). O. basilicum EO caused 37% mortality. However, its encapsulation in β-CD or yeast cells almost doubled its efficacy (76% and 70%, respectively). An increase was also recorded for O. majorana EO (84% vs. 90% and 88%, respectively). Encapsulated EOs in most cases showed an extended period of bioactivity. M. pulegium and O. basilicum caused high repellency activity. Finally, no mortality was recorded in the case of P. persimilis. In conclusion, the EO of O. majorana was highly effective against T. urticae nymphs whereas the encapsulation of M. pulegium or O. basilicum EOs highly increased their repellency.

Neemazal, a biopesticide containing 47.25% azadirachtin, was assessed for its impact on the haemolymph and haemocyte profile of Periplaneta americana. This study examined variations in the Total Haemocyte Count (THC), Differential Haemocyte Count (DHC), and blood volume in both male and female cockroaches after exposure to different doses of Neemazal (3, 5, 7, and 12 µL) at specific post-treatment-periods (PTPs) of 10, 30, 60, and 120 minutes.

The THCs recorded for female cockroaches at the 10-minute PTP were 6172.8±0.75, 6163.0±1.54, 6162.2±1.66, 6160.8±1.66, and 6158.8±1.31/mm³ for doses of 3, 5, 7, 10, and 12 µL, respectively. In males, the corresponding THC values were 6192.4±2.05, 6189.2±1.66, 6184.2±1.24, 6181.5±1.28, and 6176.8±1.24/mm³. Similar trends were observed across the other PTPs. Neemazal exposure led to a dose-dependent decrease in the THC in both sexes compared to that in the control group.

For the treatment with 3 µL and the 10-minute PTP, the DHCs found in female cockroaches were 19, 59.2, 40.2, 27.6, and 30.8%; in male cockroaches, these were 18, 52, 40.4, 28, and 20.8%. Prohaemocytes, plasmatocytes, granulocytes, oenocytes, and coagulocytes were observed, which indicated a decrease in haemocytes as compared to the controls. The DHC analysis revealed an initial decline within 10 minutes post-treatment, followed by a partial recovery, though these values remained consistently lower than those for the controls in all PTPs.

The blood volume changes observed for the 3 µL dose were 35.36±0.0014, 29.48±0.0013, 25.34±0.0023, and 30.71±0.0014 at 10, 30, 60, and 120 minutes, respectively. Similar trends were noted across the different doses and PTPs. Overall, blood volume exhibited a progressive, dose-dependent decrease across all of the PTPs.

The statistical analysis revealed significant changes in all of the parameters measured in the treated groups compared to those in the controls, with p-values of p<0.005, p<0.01, and p<0.02. These findings suggest that Neemazal disrupts the haemocyte dynamics and haemolymph homeostasis in P. americana, indicating that its potential mode of action involves impairing its immune and circulatory functions.

Chironomid larvae have distinct salivary gland polytene chromosomes with precise banding patterns. Chromosome arms possess two transcriptionally active sites, i.e., Balbiani rings (BRs) and Nucleolar organizers (NORs). Structural changes in the chironomid chromosomes serve as pollution bioindicators in fresh water ecosystems, which are directly related to the ecology of the aquatic environment. Savar city is centrally located in Bangladesh and about 380,000 people live there, which makes it the second most populous city in the district. Anthropogenic sources, such as untreated industrial effluents, household waste, and run-off from agriculture, are the main reasons for surface and underground water pollution. Therefore, the aim of this study was to observe the polytene chromosome structural patterns of chironomid larvae collected from Savar wetland regions. Salivary gland polytene chromosomes of the 4^th instar larvae were examined in order to describe their chromosomal diversity in these habitats. We followed the lacto aceto orcein squash method for polytene chromosome preparation. Two karyotypes (Type 1 from Jahangirnagar Campus under Pseudothummi Cytocomplex and Type 2 from Savar DOHS under Thummi Cytocomplex) have been observed. Pseudothummi Cytocomplex has an AE, CD, BF, and G- chromosome arm combination, whereas Thummi cytocomplex shows an AB, CD, EF, and G- chromosome arm combination. Here, Thummi is considered to be basic, while Pseudothummi is considered to be structurally changed due to environmental factors. Chromosome arms BF and AB are the longest and G is the smallest in the karyotypes. In both types, BRs and NORs were detected in the G arms. Centromeric bands were also detected in each arm and these bands were deeply stained, i.e., were highly heterochromatic in nature. Karyotypic analysis in these two cytocomplexes has indicated the presence of a much larger chironomid fauna in this region, as well as structural changes in their chromosome arm combinations. Further research on the various structural rearrangements in the polytene chromosomes of chironomid larvae collected from polluted wetland water bodies is in progress.