Seasonal sampling surveys of macro-moths were conducted in the ‘moist temperate ban oak (Quercus leucotrichophora)’ (Western Himalaya) and ‘tropical moist deciduous sal (Shorea robusta)’ (the Shiwalik range) forests of Uttarakhand in Northern India. This was carried out to understand the differences in the species diversity, seasonality and community structure between these two forest types, located on two different mountain ranges that are geologically distinct. Eight locations (four in each forest) were taken up for study. The surveys covered 125 days and three seasons (pre-monsoon; monsoon; and post-monsoon). Moths were attracted to artificial light nightly after sunset from 1900 to 2200 hours, totaling 375 hours of sampling, and we used a CFL (27 Watts; 220-240 Volts) hung vertically in front of a white canvas cloth (moth screen: 180 x 120 mm).

This study revealed 451 species from 22 families (species richness estimators: Chao 2 = 948; Jacknife 1 = 709) in the ban oak forests as compared to 231 species from 18 families in the sal forests (Chao 2 = 544; Jacknife 1 = 349), respectively. The families Geometridae followed by Erebidae, Crambidae, Noctuidae, and Drepanidae were dominant in the ban oak forests, whereas Erebidae followed by Geometridae, Crambidae, and Noctuidae were dominant in the sal forests, respectively. Shannon's diversity index was higher in the ban oak forests (4.22) in comparison to that in the sal forests (3.923). The species richness and abundance showed two seasonal peaks annually: in the sal forests, the peaks occurred during ‘monsoon’, followed by ‘post-monsoon’, while in the ban oak forests, the first peak occurred during ‘pre-monsoon’, followed by a second peak during the ‘early post-monsoon’, respectively.

Non-metric Multi-Dimensional Scaling (NMDS) of the moth abundance across the eight sites and three seasons showed distinct moth communities. The sal forest sites exhibited greater moth similarity across sites, while the ban oak sites exhibited greater ‘beta diversity’, and this variation was more pronounced during the ‘post-monsoon’ season compared to the ‘pre-monsoon’ and ‘monsoon’ seasons. The moth communities in the sal and ban oak forests were thus determined to be distinct from each other in Northern India.

Pollination is one of the most important ecosystem services. Of about 200,000 species of animals that provide pollination as a service, >90 % are insects. They pollinate 75% of the world’s food crops. However, there has been a steady decrease in the health of the pollinator community worldwide (15-40%). Major drivers responsible for this are urbanization, habitat loss, pollution and climate change. With nearly half of the world’s population now living in cities, the overall landscape is fast-changing. Habitats in natural areas have decreased, but terraces and backyard gardens have increased. The present case study from Pune City, India, which is situated along one of the most urbanized belts in Asia, highlights how urban terraces and backyards can become potential habitats for pollinators. Systematic planning of key plant species (> 50), including wild and cultivated plants (herbs, creepers, climbers, vegetables) centered around a carefully designed yearly floral calendar, resulted in visits from and colonization by more than 30 species of butterflies and 20 species of bees, flies, wasps, ants and birds. Broad-leaved species were used as nesting habitats by birds like tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius) and ashy prinia (Prinia socialis). Bamboo sticks used for supporting climbers acted as nesting sites for solitary bees. To date, urban terraces have been overlooked as potential habitats to protect and promote biodiversity. However, with an increasing interest in terrace gardening among common citizens, we feel that this can become a replicable and scalable model for maintaining a healthy pollinator community in urban areas.

Insects that are drawn to carrion serve a significant role in the examination of entomological evidence, facilitating legal and criminal investigations and estimation of the minimum postmortem interval (PMI). Flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), which are the predominant necrophagous insects, utilize vertebrate tissue as a breeding site, exhibit larviparous reproduction, and complete their entire life cycle on the carrion itself, which is forensically important. Flesh flies are similar in appearance, making identification reliant on male genitalia; however, carrion-attracted flies are predominantly female and challenging to identify using taxonomic keys; wing morphometric analysis was thus implemented. The flies were collected utilizing 50 grams of decomposed beef liver as a baiting agent. Females were permitted to larviposit, and their larvae were subsequently transferred to individual rearing cages. The emerging F1 progeny of both sexes were euthanized with acetone. The male terminalia were dissected after immersion in 10% KOH, while the female wings were separated, mounted on clean slides, and photographed with a Leica microscope. Morphometric analysis was performed using MorphoJ 1.08 software. The study identified four predominant species of Sarcophagidae in Central Kerala: Sarcophaga albiceps, S. dux, S. karnyi, and S. peregrina, which are present year-round and are not specific to any particular geographic region. The male terminalia exhibited distinguishable features; however, S. karnyi and S. peregrina demonstrated variations in the inner forceps and fifth sternite. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of wing morphology revealed four distinct clusters, encapsulated within ellipses and distinctly separated. Although S. karnyi and S. peregrina exhibited minor overlap, they remained distinguishable. Wing morphometric analysis provides a dependable methodology for the identification of female flies in forensic contexts, particularly in Central Kerala, and is also instrumental for the estimation of PMI, which is contingent upon species specificity.

Bradysia sp. (Diptera) or fungus gnats are among the most important pests affecting nursery root cuttings for plant multiplication, due to the direct feeding damage caused by their larvae. Currently, new solutions based on botanical and biological solutions are being studied and tested to address these pests. Dittrichia viscosa (Asteraceae), a shrub native to the Mediterranean region, has been identified as a potential botanical insecticide for controlling various pests.

In two separate trays, we installed cuttings from five aromatic semi-wood species (Rosmarinus officinalis with white flowers (RoW), R. officinalis with purple flowers (RoP), Santolina rosmarinifolia, Thymus vulgaris, and Lavandula angustifolia). A heavily infected plant with Bradysia sp. was placed nearby to infest plants. After infestation, every two weeks, an aqueous extract of D. viscosa with a concentration of 2% m/m was applied to one tray (treated modality), while the other tray served as the untreated control. A spraying irrigation system was used to enhance application efficiency. Using a Log-Rank test (Kaplan–Meir Survival), we evaluated i) the susceptibility of the plant species to the pest and ii) the effectiveness of the plant extract in reducing plant mortality.

Our findings confirmed our expectations, showing that T. vulgare was the least susceptible species to Bradysia sp., followed by RoP.

The application of D. viscosa extract reduced plant mortality by 20% in RoW and 5% in L. angustifolia.

Future trials must standardize the species tested as hosts and the concentration of the D. viscosa extract to ensure consistent results. Additionally, it will be crucial to analyse the specific compounds within the extract that may be responsible for its observed effects. Despite these considerations, the current findings suggest promising potential for using D. viscosa extract in sustainable pest management strategies.

Among botanicals used as insecticides, essential oils (EOs) attract the interest of different stakeholders despite some of their intrinsic properties limiting their use in real field conditions. In this scenario, the use of nanotechnologies seems a promising tool to overcome these drawbacks.

Our research aimed to develop garlic EO-based nano-emulsion with a high EO–surfactant ratio (3: 1) and conduct an insecticidal evaluation against different citrus pests. The biological effects on different non-target organisms (pollinators and predators) were also investigated.

Garlic EO was chemically analysed (GC-MS) and formulated as a nano-emulsion through the use of a high-pressure microfluidizer apparatus (HPM). The resulting formulation (15% EO; 5% Tween® 80; 80% water) was physically characterized (i.e. size, PDI and surface charge) using dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis. Garlic EO was composed of sulphur compounds (96.3%), and diallyl disulphide was the most abundant one (37.26%). The optimal physical properties of the developed formulation (size < 250nm; PDI < 0.2, and negative surface charge) were maintained for up to 1 year.

The efficacy against target pests showed high insecticidal activity, with an estimated LD₉₀ always less than 2.5 % of EO against all the tested insects. On the other hand, the garlic nano-emulsion was completely safe against non-target insects and showed no phytotoxic effects on citrus plants. Plants treated with the formulated nano-emulsion overexpressed different genes involved in plant defence, suggesting a dual benefit effect (insecticidal activity and enhancement of plant defence) of this formulation.

Overall, the high insecticidal activity, the absence of adverse effects on non-target organisms, and the beneficial effects on plants suggest the potential use of this formulation in organic and/or integrated pest management programmes.

INTRODUCTION. The South American weevil species complex Listroderes costirostris Schoenherr (“vegetable weevils”) is comprised of three species: L.costirostris, Listroderes difficilis, and Listroderes obliquus. Due to the morphological similarities between the females and the scarce males (parthenogenetic species), there is no consensus about whether they correspond to a single species or three valid ones. These species are agricultural pests of several crops in their countries of origin and where they were introduced.

METHODS. For the morphometric analysis, three structures or regions were considered: rostrum in frontal view (HF), rostrum in lateral view (HL), and pronotum in lateral view (PL), for a total of 135 females (45/ species). Landmarks and curve semilandmarks were established with TPSDig. Procrustes analysis, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Canonical Variates Analysis (CVA), and discriminant analysis (DA) were performed in MorphoJ and Geomorph 4.2 in R. The structures were analyzed independently.

RESULTS. In the PCA, all species were differentiated only using the PL structure. In the CVA the species have significant differences (P< 0.0001) in all structures analyzed. The DA also showed significant differences between species in the three structures studied.

CONCLUSIONS. Concluding, the three species of the L. costirostris complex could be differentiated based on morphometrics. The structures of the head and pronotum are useful for this differentiation, mainly the lateral view of the pronotum. As a future step, we need to correlate the morphometric variation observed with the genetic divergence within this group.

Forest ecosystems in the lower Garhwal Himalayas are severely threatened by urbanization, commercial activities, and resource overuse, leading to fragmented and degraded habitats. Given these threats, modern biodiversity assessments are crucial for conserving the remaining forest patches in the Himalayan ecosystem. The urbanization of natural and semi-natural habitats is a primary driver of habitat loss and fragmentation, reducing both the quantity and quality of habitats, which negatively impacts biodiversity. The lower western Himalayas, strongholds of biodiversity, face rapid deforestation and habitat degradation due to anthropogenic activities. Butterflies, due to their sensitivity to environmental changes, serve as effective indicators of the ecological impacts of urbanization and landscape development. In this study, butterfly diversity was monitored across different land use types in the lower Garhwal Himalayan region, focusing on natural forests and urban landscapes. The data collection spanned two years (2022–2024), using seasonal sampling surveys across 288 transects. A total of 34,849 individuals, representing 129 species, were recorded. Of these, 113 species were identified in natural forest habitats, while 83 species were observed in urban areas. The data analysis was conducted using Past software (version 5.0.2), revealing significantly higher species richness and butterfly abundance in the natural forest sites compared to urban areas. These results highlight significant differences in butterfly species' richness and abundance, reflecting the impact of land use changes in the valley. These findings underscore the value of butterflies as bioindicators of land use alterations and can inform land use planning and conservation strategies in the region, promoting areas for future biodiversity preservation.

Whiteflies (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aleyrodidae) are minute insects with a body length of 1 mm to 2 mm and a wingspan of less than 3 mm. The nomenclature of this insect is derived from the presence of a powdery secretion that is preened over the bodies and wings of the adults of almost all species. These insects typically feed on the undersides of plant leaves during their larval, pupal, and adult stages. The fossil record of whiteflies extends back to the Late Jurassic, with the majority of known fossils being reported from resins, including the first specimen, which was described by Menge in 1856 under the name of 'Aleyrodes' aculeatus from the Eocene Baltic amber. The Eocene fossil resins of Europe, which contain inclusions of whiteflies, comprise the Lowermost Eocene amber from Oise (Paris Basin, France) and younger resins collectively named ‘Baltic amber’, of various ages (Lutetian to Priabonian). These resins have yielded five taxa of Aleurodicinae from Ypresian Oise amber. More taxa representing both Aleyrodinae and Aleurodicinae originate from the succinite of various ages and geographic origins. Succinite from the Gulf of Gdańsk area has yielded five identified species to date (three taxa of Aleurodicinae and two of Aleyrodinae), while a single Aleyrodicinae species is known from amber found in Rovno. Recently, seven species of Aleurodicinae were described from the succinite of Denmark. A further Aleyrodinae species was identified from the succinite found in the Miocene Lower Lusatia deposits, although the resin appears to be older. These fossils exhibit significant morphological diversity, and their distribution provides valuable insights into the palaeobiogeographic and palaeoenvironmental differentiation of Europe during the Eocene. Whiteflies can serve as valuable indicators of local faunas, while also facilitating our understanding of the taphonomy, transportation, and deposition of amber. This research was funded by the National Science Centre, Poland grant no. 2022/47/B/NZ8/02113.

Post-harvest stored grain losses caused by insect pests are a growing concern, emphasizing the need for eco-friendly alternatives like plant-derived essential oils (EOs). However, due to their low solubility and persistence, EOs are formulated into nanoemulsions (NEs), which enhance their stability and effectiveness. Therefore, NEs based on 6% (v/v) Acorus calamus rhizome essential oil (ACEO) were evaluated for their contact insecticidal, fumigant, and repellent activity, alongside their impact on antioxidant systems and acetylcholinesterase activity against S. oryzae. GC/MS analysis revealed that the chemical profile of ACEO was predominantly composed of α-asarone (80.46%). ACEO was encapsulated into four NEs at varying EO:Tween80 ratios: ACNE1 (1:1), ACNE2 (1:3), ACNE3 (1:4), and ACNE4 (1:6). The particle sizes decreased with increasing Tween80 concentration, ranging from 329.62 nm (ACNE1) to 270.20 nm (ACNE2), 162.5 nm (ACNE3), and 30.49 nm (ACNE4). The Polydispersity Index (PDI) values were observed as 0.231, 0.124, 0.515, and 0.339 for ACNE1, ACNE2, ACNE3, and ACNE4. The zeta potential, which is the electrical potential difference between a particle's surface and the surrounding liquid that reflects the stability of colloidal dispersions, resulted in -12.60 mV, -11.58 mV, -7.07 mV, and -1.18 mV for ACNE1, ACNE2, ACNE3, and ACNE4, respectively. The ACNE4 demonstrated significantly enhanced insecticidal properties, including a six-fold increase in contact and fumigant toxicity as well as a five-fold repellency compared to ACEO after 24 hours. ACNEs also altered enzyme activities in S. oryzae, increasing oxidized glutathione levels while reducing glutathione, catalase, peroxidase, and acetylcholinesterase activities. The current study provides a first-time account of introducing ACNEs leading to the efficient, cost-effective use of ACEO in stored-grain insect pest management.

Butterflies are essential for ecosystem stability, offering various ecosystem services, with pollination standing out as particularly important. The ongoing global decline in their richness and abundance highlights the critical need for focused conservation actions, and the first step towards their protection is understanding their richness. On a European scale, the European Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (EUPoMS), created as part of the STING project, is tackling this issue. Based on the EUPoMS, the SPAS project (Serbian Pollinator Advice Strategy – for the next normal) was initiated in Serbia, focusing on the monitoring of wild bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and the plants they visit. Within SPAS, several sampling methods were implemented, with line transects and pan traps (in blue, yellow, and white) as the primary techniques. Butterfly monitoring was conducted across 30 locations in Serbia, three times per year (spring, summer, autumn) from 2022 to 2024. This study evaluated the efficiency of these methods in assessing butterfly richness and abundance. Our findings revealed that line transects recorded a higher species richness and abundance compared to pan traps. However, pan traps detected certain species not observed during transect sampling, suggesting their complementary role in monitoring. Among the trap colors, blue pan traps captured the highest richness and abundance of butterflies, reflecting a possible preference for blue-colored flowers. These results emphasize the importance of employing diverse sampling techniques to achieve a comprehensive understanding of butterfly diversity. They also emphasize the importance of understanding pollinator preferences to enable better decision making and improve strategies for their conservation.