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        <title>Frontiers in Insect Science | New and Recent Articles</title>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/insect-science</link>
        <description>RSS Feed for Frontiers in Insect Science | New and Recent Articles</description>
        <language>en-us</language>
        <generator>Frontiers Feed Generator,version:1</generator>
        <pubDate>2026-04-11T13:11:38.212+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
        <item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1814368</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1814368</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) chattiensis n. sp.: morphological and molecular description of a new sand fly species from Himachal Pradesh, India]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-10T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Harish Kumar Shah</author><author>P. A. Fathima</author><author>Manju Rahi</author><author>Prasanta Saini</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionHimachal Pradesh, an ecologically diverse state in northern India, has recently emerged as a focus of atypical cutaneous leishmaniasis. As part of a molecular xenomonitoring, systematic entomological surveillance of sand flies resulted in the reporting of a novel species, Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) chattiensis n. sp. (Diptera: Psychodidae), from Chatti village in Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, India.MethodsA systematic cross-sectional entomological survey was carried out in the districts of Kinnaur, Kullu, Shimla, and Mandi during August 2022, employing standard sand-fly collection techniques. Molecular characterization was performed using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene-based DNA barcoding, followed by phylogenetic analysis of the generated sequences.ResultsThe study reports Sergentomyia (Neo.) chattiensis as a newly recorded sand fly species and discusses its taxonomic association with other members of the subgenus Neophlebotomus. COI-based phylogenetic assessment confirmed that the collected specimens form a single taxonomic unit with negligible intraspecific genetic variation, while a genetic divergence of 12.3% from its closest congener supports its designation as a distinct species.DiscussionDespite its diverse physiography, rich biodiversity, and ecological suitability for sand fly breeding, Himachal Pradesh has lacked systematic entomological surveillance. The present study contributes to bridging this gap by expanding the existing knowledge of sand fly fauna in the state and providing comprehensive morphological and molecular characterization of this newly described species.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1778418</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1778418</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Phylogenetic insights into the diversification of cutting strategies in leaf-cutting ants]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-07T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Andrés F. Sánchez–Restrepo</author><author>Viviana A. Confalonieri</author><author>Luis A. Calcaterra</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Leaf-cutting ants are dominant herbivores in Neotropical ecosystems, yet the evolutionary origins of their cutting preferences remains unresolved. We investigated whether grass-cutting specialization emerged from a single evolutionary innovation or multiple independent origins. We compiled the predominant cutting behavior of each leaf-cutting ant species and classified them as dicot, grass, or grass–dicot cutters. Integrating these data into a time-calibrated phylogenetic framework allowed us to reconstruct the evolutionary history and diversification of leaf-cutting behavior in these ants. Divergence-time analyses date the origin of leaf-cutting ants to the early Miocene, major crown clades diversified during the late Miocene to early Pliocene, a period of increasing climatic seasonality and landscape openness in South America. The evolutionary history of these ants is strongly influenced by large-scale climatic and geological processes, as evidenced by their origin and major diversification events in close association with Miocene–Pliocene environmental changes. Phylogenetic analyses clarify the contrasting diversification dynamics of Acromyrmex, Amoimyrmex and Atta. Acromyrmex traces back to ~15 Ma and is structured into at least four major clades, with a distinct grass cutting clade. In contrast, Atta is a younger lineage characterized by rapid diversification during the Pliocene. Amoimyrmex occupies an early diverging position, indicating an independent origin of grass cutting within the group. Ancestral state reconstructions consistently indicate that dicot cutting is the ancestral condition, with grass and mixed dicot–grass cutting evolving independently multiple times. These repeated transitions coincide with the temporal expansion of open, grass-dominated habitats and likely reflect adaptive responses to new ecological opportunities. The convergent evolution of grass-cutting strategies, despite the mechanical and ecological challenges posed by silica-rich grasses, suggests that cutting preferences are evolutionarily flexible yet functionally constrained traits. Together, our results suggest that grass-cutting is not phylogenetically conserved, but rather represents a recurring adaptive response to environmental change. This highlights how major landscape transformations during the Miocene–Pliocene period promoted repeated ecological innovation in socially complex herbivores.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1787016</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1787016</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Effects of essential oils on foulbrood bacteria and honey bee workers (Apis mellifera) under laboratory conditions]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-01T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Cinzia Marianelli</author><author>Laura Narciso</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionAmerican and European foulbrood diseases (AFB and EFB, respectively) result in considerable economic losses for beekeepers. Currently, no satisfactory methods are available for the treatment of either disease. There has been a recent surge of interest in the use of natural substances, such as essential oils (EOs), as a means of combating infections in apiaries. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of a number of EOs against the causative agents of AFB and EFB, namely Paenibacillus larvae and Melissococcus plutonius, respectively, and their safety towards bees.MethodsThe antimicrobial activity of 18 EOs was initially assessed in vitro against the two foulbrood bacteria by the spot-on-agar test, where the EOs were deposited directly onto the agar surface. The EOs demonstrating the most significant antimicrobial activity against one or both of the bacterial pathogens were then selected for further assessment of their toxicity towards the foulbrood bacteria by the resuzurin-based microdilution method and towards adult bees using the vapor exposure bioassay at one and three hours.ResultsThe study revealed that oregano, juniper, sage, thyme, cinnamon, cumin, clove and black pepper were the most effective against the foulbrood bacteria. The results of the exposure bioassays demonstrated that bees exposed to those EOs exhibited greater tolerance to the vapor of cinnamon and oregano after one hour of exposure than the other EOs. As the duration of exposure increased to a period of three hours, an escalation in toxicity was observed.DiscussionThe preliminary findings of the present study suggest EOs as potential candidates for the development of new natural antimicrobial treatments against foulbrood diseases. However, further in vitro larval bioassays and field trials are needed to validate their clinical effectiveness and safety.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1770055</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1770055</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Enhancing the delivery and stability of lipid nanoparticle–dsRNA formulations in the RNAi-recalcitrant fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda)]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-26T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Marcel Kaarow</author><author>Leonie Graser</author><author>Eileen Knorr</author><author>Anton Windfelder</author><author>Pascal Geisler</author><author>Frank Steiniger</author><author>Markus Oberpaul</author><author>Andreas Vilcinskas</author><author>Christoph Hellmann</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The fall armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda) is an invasive lepidopteran pest of staple crops. Its broad host range, ability to spread rapidly, and increasing resistance to pesticides pose a major threat to global food security. RNA interference (RNAi) offers a sustainable and targeted alternative to broad-spectrum chemical pesticides, but its efficacy is limited in lepidopterans primarily by the rapid degradation of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in the midgut and poor epithelial uptake. Here, we investigated lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) as a delivery strategy to enhance dsRNA stability and uptake in FAW larvae. LNP–dsRNA complexes (40–50 nm, +39 to +56 mV) were generated by the microfluidic mixing of a ternary lipid blend. Encapsulation protected dsRNA from degradation by gut enzyme extracts for up to 1 h, even under highly alkaline conditions (pH 11.5). The analysis of larvae exposed to Cy3-labeled dsRNA by fluorescence microscopy demonstrated that LNPs improved internal distribution beyond the gut lumen, whereas unformulated dsRNA mainly accumulated at the peritrophic membrane. These results indicate that LNPs resist the gut environment and overcome limited systemic uptake, the two major physiological barriers to RNAi in lepidopterans, enabling the more efficient delivery of dsRNA. This study establishes a lipid nanoparticle-based dsRNA delivery platform that overcomes key physiological barriers in FAW, providing a prerequisite for future in vivo gene knockdown and efficacy studies.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1772436</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1772436</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Proteomic analysis of dimorphic sperm in the cabbage white butterfly, Pieris rapae]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-25T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Melissa Plakke</author><author>Katherine McLaughlin</author><author>Timothy L. Karr</author><author>James R. Walters</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Sperm dimorphism, the production of two distinct sperm morphs by a single male, is a widespread but enigmatic reproductive phenomenon. In Lepidoptera, fertilizing eupyrene sperm coexist with anucleate apyrene sperm, which cannot fertilize eggs but are nevertheless required for successful reproduction. Despite the prevalence and presumed adaptive significance of sperm dimorphism, the molecular basis of this trait remains limited. Here, we characterize the proteome of dimorphic sperm in the Cabbage White butterfly, Pieris rapae, an emerging model for sexual selection and postcopulatory interactions. Using high-resolution, label-free mass spectrometry, we identified more than 1,600 proteins, nearly doubling the number of proteins previously reported for other lepidopteran species. Differential abundance analyses revealed eupyrene sperm were enriched for proteins linked to ion transport and vacuolar acidification, while apyrene sperm were enriched for mitochondrial and respiratory functions. Unexpectedly, comparative homology analyses with two other Lepidoptera, Danaus plexippus and Manduca sexta, showed P. rapae shared more homologous sperm proteins with M. sexta than with the more closely related D. plexippus, highlighting complex evolutionary dynamics of sperm proteomes. Together, these findings expand our understanding of sperm function and diversity in Lepidoptera, highlight the distinct roles of eupyrene and apyrene sperm, and provide a foundation for future studies of sperm evolution, sexual selection, and reproductive protein function.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1666444</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1666444</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Sensitivity to cuticular hydrocarbons across the odorant receptor family in the Indian jumping ant, Harpegnathos saltator]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-23T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Røskva Tórhalsdóttir</author><author>Benjamin I. Morris</author><author>Aiden Masters</author><author>Bogdan Sieriebriennikov</author><author>Amatullah Tawawalla</author><author>Lydia F. Naughton</author><author>Deanna Cannizzaro</author><author>Jenna Longo</author><author>Kendall Ham</author><author>Bri Pomonis</author><author>Alex Lyford</author><author>Jocelyn G. Millar</author><author>Gregory M. Pask</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionEusocial insects rely on the olfactory detection of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) to mediate important social interactions, such as nestmate recognition and division of labor. In the ponerine ant Harpegnathos saltator, highly expanded odorant receptor (OR) families detect CHCs and mediate these eusocial behaviors at the molecular level. Previous studies have characterized H. saltator OR (HsOr) genes within the 9-exon and other large subfamilies, but it remains unclear how other HsOr subfamilies may contribute to CHC detection. MethodsUsing heterologous expression in Drosophila melanogaster olfactory neurons, we characterized HsOr sensitivity more broadly across the gene family, outside the 9-exon subfamily, to a panel of hydrocarbons (HC). Results and discussionTwenty-three HsOrs across sixteen subfamilies were screened, and several were found to be broadly tuned and weakly responsive to the HCs tested, except for HsOr152 which showed narrow tuning to a single HC found on the H. saltator cuticle. Lastly, we compiled and analyzed the HC responses from the 70 HsOrs from this and previous studies. This analysis suggests a combinatorial coding model of CHC detection, where several receptors across different subfamilies can contribute to the detection and discrimination of different CHCs. Our characterization of HsOrs provides functional insights into the molecular mechanisms of chemical communication among eusocial insects.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1678964</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1678964</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Preventing spread of the invasive spotted lanternfly via texture-based automated egg detection]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-23T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Brief Research Report</category>
        <author>Karla Negrete</author><author>Rhys Butler</author><author>Emily Wallis</author><author>Emily Magnani</author><author>Melissa Benzinger Mcglynn</author><author>Matthew McDonald</author><author>Nicolas J. Alvarez</author><author>Maureen Tang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) threatens U.S. agriculture, particularly grape and tree fruit production. Early detection of egg masses is critical for limiting spread, yet current surveillance relies heavily on manual inspection, which is labor-intensive and difficult to scale. The lanternfly spreads primarily through human-assisted transport pathways, including trains, trucks, and freight infrastructure, enabling long-distance dispersal of egg masses. Here, we present a proof-of-concept automated image classification pipeline for SLF egg mass detection based exclusively on spatial texture features. Using a curated laboratory image dataset and descriptors including Gray-Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM), GLDS (Gray Level Difference Statistics), and Hu and Zernike moments, we implemented a feature filtering and selection strategy to construct an interpretable, low-dimensional model. The final image-level screening classifier, a support vector machine with a radial basis function kernel trained on 12 selected features, achieved a mean Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MCC) of 0.881 (SD 0.037) under 5-fold stratified cross-validation. Generalization performance was evaluated on a held-out test set using bootstrap resampling (1,000 iterations), yielding a mean MCC of 0.836 (SD 0.037; 95% CI: 0.761–0.904). This image-level proof-of-concept under controlled imaging demonstrates that low-cost, scalable, and interpretable texture-based computer vision approaches may provide reliable early detection of SLF egg masses, supporting human-in-the-loop surveillance efforts in high-risk transport corridors and improving cost and reliability over manual inspection workflows.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1789891</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1789891</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Fruit fly species (Diptera: Tephritidae) associated with fruit orchards in the province of Luya, Amazonas, Peru]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-18T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Enistein Reyna-Rivera</author><author>Vilma Aguilar-Rafael</author><author>Wagner Meza-Maicelo</author><author>Henry W. Santillan-Culquimboz</author><author>Duber Banda-Martinez</author><author>Luis Cubas-Vasquez</author><author>Santos Leiva-Espinoza</author>
        <description><![CDATA[In the province of Luya, the presence of fruit flies (Tephritidae) in fruit orchards causes significant losses to the family economy. This study aimed to identify, using morphological and molecular methods, the Tephritidae species associated with fruit hosts and to evaluate host preference. Fruits were collected from orchards at different geographic points in the province of Luya; these fruits were transferred to the laboratory under controlled conditions and placed in plastic containers on sterilized soil to favor pupation. When adults emerged, they were fed with sucrose. For morphological identification, adult females were used and pictorial keys were employed, while for molecular analysis, the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (Cox1) region was amplified using the primers LCO1490/HCO2198 and LepF1/LepR1. After identification, fruit fly preference for specific fruit species was evaluated by associating the identified species with the fruits from which they emerged. Nine fruit fly species were identified, corresponding to eight species of the genus Anastrepha (Anastrepha fraterculus, A. obliqua, A. striata, A. distincta, A. grandis, A. ornata, A. leptozona, and A. nolazcoae) and one species of the genus Ceratitis (Ceratitis capitata), associated with 19 hosts from 11 botanical families. The fruits with the highest preference were Psidium guajava and Campomanesia liniatifolia. These results highlight the richness of Tephritidae in the province of Luya and represent the first records of these nine species for the Amazonas region, expanding their geographical distribution in Peru, emphasizing the utility of integrative approaches for reliable taxonomic identification.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1758530</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1758530</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Bibliometric trends and emerging frontiers in RNA interference research for mosquito control (2010–2025)]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-17T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Nina Ghislaine Yensii</author><author>Fabrice Banadzem Kernyuy</author><author>Theophilus Nang Wakai</author><author>Titilope Modupe Dokunmu</author><author>Olubanke Olujoke Ogunlana</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundMosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue, and Zika, pose significant global health challenges, intensified by rising insecticide resistance and environmental concerns associated with conventional control methods. RNA interference (RNAi) offers a promising, eco-friendly, and species-specific approach for mosquito vector control by silencing critical genes. This study aims to assess the research landscape of RNAi in mosquitoes through a bibliometric analysis.MethodsRelevant publications from January 2010 to October 2025 were retrieved from the Web of Science and Scopus targeted RNAi-related keywords. Only peer-reviewed, English-language original research articles were included. Data were analyzed using VOSviewer for network visualization, Bibliometrix for bibliometric metrics, and Microsoft Excel for descriptive analysis.ResultsThe analysis included 480 articles, revealing a steady increase in publications, with a peak in 2020. The United States (45.4%) and China (22.1%) led research output, while African countries were notably underrepresented. Keyword co-occurrence analysis indicated a shift from foundational gene function studies to applied technologies, including nanoparticle and yeast-mediated RNAi delivery systems. High-impact journals like Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Parasites & Vectors were prominent publication venues. Most studies targeted several genes, with the majority in Aedes species, then Anopheles species, and the least Culex species.ConclusionRNAi research in mosquitoes has advanced significantly, evolving toward practical vector control solutions, yet challenges persist in delivery efficiency and field application. The lack of African representation highlights the need for equitable global collaboration. Strengthened international partnerships and increased regional investment are essential to realize RNAi’s potential for sustainable, effective mosquito control.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1716183</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1716183</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Morphometric and molecular insights into Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel, 1912) (Diptera: Tephritidae) infestation on Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk. (Indian Jujube)]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-17T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Kavin Palanivelu</author><author>Usharani Balakrishnan</author><author>Kamala Jayanthi Pagadala Damodharam</author><author>Suresh Krishnasamy</author><author>Sandeep Singh</author><author>Arul Dhayalan</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae), is an oriental fruit fly, commonly infesting fruit crops, especially Indian jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana) and other fruit crops in India. This study combined morphometric and molecular approaches to evaluate population variability. Eggs were creamy white, elliptical, and measured length and width of 1.30 and 0.23 mm. Mature maggots attained 7.87 and 1.94 mm, while pupae averaged 4.91 and 1.90 mm. Adults exhibited clear sexual  dimorphism, with females larger (body length 6.87 mm; wing expanse 12.48 mm) than males (body length 5.74 mm; wing expanse 10.48 mm). Principal component analysis indicated that male traits such as body length and maggot size loaded strongly on the first component, while female wing and thoracic traits contributed predominantly to the second component, cumulatively explaining over 100% of the variation. Molecular characterization using COI gene sequences revealed phylogenetic clustering patterns that were consistent with the morphometric differentiation observed among populations and indicated close phylogenetic proximity of Indian populations to B. invadens and B. kandiensis. The integration of morphometric and molecular datasets thus provides a reliable framework for distinguishing populations of B. dorsalis, which is essential for accurate diagnostics, monitoring, and region-specific management strategies.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1763467</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1763467</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Thermal influence on life history traits and population parameters of the olive moth, Prays oleae (Bernard) (Lepidoptera: Praydidae): implications for temperature-based pest management]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-13T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Mohamed El Aalaoui</author><author>Mohamed Sbaghi</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionThe olive moth, Prays oleae (Bernard) (Lepidoptera: Praydidae), is a major pest of olive crops worldwide.MethodsThis study examined the effects of constant temperatures (15–35 °C) on its development, survival, and reproduction, and evaluated nine temperature-dependent models (Linear, Lactin-2, β type, Brière-1 and 2, Polynomial, Shi, SSI, and Taylor).Results and discussionDevelopmental duration decreased with temperature, with egg incubation ranging from 14.1 days at 15 °C to 2.6 ± 0.1 days at 35 °C, pre-adult development ranging from 64.9 days (male) and 68.3 days (female) at 15 °C to 27.1 days and 27.8 days at 35 °C, with males generally developing faster than females except at 28 and 32 °C, and adult life span declining from 76.8–81.2 days at 15 °C to 34.1–35.4 days at 32 °C. Survival followed a bell-shaped pattern, peaking at 25 °C for eggs (79.93%), larvae (90.87%), and pupae (66.0%). Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated faster mortality at higher temperatures (LT50 = 35 days at 32 °C vs. 79 days at 15 °C). Pupal weight decreased with temperature, with females consistently heavier than males (15 °C: 7.50 vs. 6.40 mg; 32 °C: 4.88 vs. 4.40 mg). Pupal deformities were marginal (3.1–10.8%), whereas adult deformities increased at temperature extremes (14.9–19.8%). Fecundity peaked at 25 °C (380.7 eggs/female), oviposition was longest at 25 °C (12.6 days), and pre-oviposition decreased from 4.9 days (15 °C) to 1.6 days (32 °C). Model evaluation showed Brière-2 provided the most biologically realistic thermal thresholds (TL  = 4.3–15 °C, Topt = 28–34 °C, TH  = 37.8–42.9 °C).ConclusionOverall, P. oleae develops and reproduces optimally at 25–28 °C, providing critical data for predicting population dynamics and guiding temperature-based management strategies in olive orchards.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1751606</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1751606</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Evaluating the new product Norroa™ against Varroa destructor in managed honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-11T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Devan Rawn</author><author>Cody Prouty</author><author>Asmita Gautam</author><author>Matthew Jamison</author><author>Win Talton</author><author>Katie Youngs</author><author>Ken Narva</author><author>Brian Manley</author><author>Cameron Jack</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionGlobally, beekeepers must manage the invasive mite pest Varroa destructor. The mite’s populations can grow quickly, overwhelming honey bee colonies through direct parasitism and the transmission of honey bee viruses. RNA interference is promising next-generation tool and has been demonstrated to control invertebrate pest populations. The novel product Norroa™ is the first of its kind marketed to beekeepers for the control of V. destructor. Field-level studies are critical to understanding the efficacy of the product and how to fit it into integrated pest management plans.MethodsField studies were conducted to test the effectiveness of Norroa™ during a nectar-flow season and a nectar-dearth season in Florida. In each field trial, 36 colonies were established for testing. Mite infestation rates were measured throughout the trials and mites were assessed for gene knockdown by determining RNA concentrations from the target gene. A final trial was conducted uncapping honey bee pupae and examining mite reproduction.ResultsDuring the nectar dearth, mite numbers started higher (4.56 mites/100 bees) and increased more in control colonies compared with the treated colonies, but differences were not significant. During the nectar-flow, Norroa™ maintained V. destructor populations at or below the initial infestation rate (2.31 mites/100 bees) for twelve weeks, compared with the control group that grew significantly higher than treated colonies. Mites from colonies that had been treated with Norroa™ were significantly less likely to lay an egg, or have any offspring emerge from the eggs laid.DiscussionResearch related to biological methods of control are currently under-studied relative to chemical treatments. These trials demonstrate the promise of a new tool for beekeepers to control V. destructor as part of a sustainable IPM approach.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1773663</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1773663</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Advances in male sex separation for the support of mosquito control programs]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-10T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Mini Review</category>
        <author>Molly Duman-Scheel</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Several mosquito control technologies, including the sterile insect technique (SIT), the incompatible insect technique (IIT), and a variety of genetic technologies are emerging as promising solutions for combatting insecticide resistance and the spread of vector-borne diseases. These approaches involve mass releases of male mosquitoes in an effort to suppress mosquito populations in an eco-friendly manner. At small scale, male mosquito selection can be achieved through the use of mechanical separation techniques, but such methods are not sufficient for scaled implementation of emerging mosquito population control technologies. This review discusses mechanical, genetic, and automated mosquito sex sorting techniques that have emerged to address the need for scaled male mosquito production, as well as the potential contributions of RNA interference (RNAi) to facilitate this process. One RNAi method utilizes the oral delivery of yeast expressing interfering RNA targeting genes required for female larval survival. The yeast, which can be incorporated into normal insect larval diets, enables male sex selection during larval rearing in mosquitoes and could easily be extended to other insects. RNAi-mediated sex-sorting technologies, in combination with mechanical, genetic, and automated sorting technologies, could facilitate the scaled production of adult males in support of global insect population suppression efforts.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1795406</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1795406</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Editorial: Pest-smart strategies for improved eco-efficiency in agriculture, forestry and communities]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-03T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Editorial</category>
        <author>George B. Frisvold</author><author>Thomas M. Chappell</author><author>Ashfaq A. Sial</author><author>Roger D. Magarey</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1684424</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1684424</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Engineering smallholder common bean cropping systems with flowering plants increases hoverfly populations and crop yields]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-25T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Yamikani Kaliwo</author><author>Ellen Kumchenga</author><author>Yolice L. B Tembo</author><author>Trust Kasambala Donga</author><author>Vernon H. Kabambe</author><author>Philip C. Stevenson</author><author>Steven R. Belmain</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Bean aphids are a major constraint to bean production worldwide and are commonly managed through intensive pesticide use. In many farming systems, particularly where crop production is increasingly intensified, reliance on chemical control has reduced the use and the appreciation of agroecological pest management strategies, including conservation biological control. The widespread application of pesticides not only suppresses natural enemies of aphids but also contributes to broader declines in insect diversity, especially when combined with the loss of non-crop habitats that support beneficial insects. To address this, we assessed whether engineering bean crop habitats with flowering plants could enhance adult hoverfly populations and increase hoverfly larval abundance within bean fields. The potential of four flowering plant species (Galinsoga parviflora, Ocimum basilicum, Bidens pilosa and Ageratum conyzoides) grown around bean crops to attract hoverflies was evaluated. Bean crops surrounded by flowering plant species were able to reduce aphid numbers and damage by 51% compared to the control treatment which had no field margin. Bean fields surrounded by O. basilicum had the lowest aphid damage score (1.2) and highest bean yield (917 kg/ha). Overall, bean crops surrounded by flowering plant species yielded between 621 to 917 kg/ha, which was 22-42% higher than the untreated control (509 kg/ha). Such evidence may help support policies that promote agroecological practices instead of synthetic pesticides.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1776153</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1776153</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Spatial coexistence of invasive ants in fragmented urban habitats of their native range]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-24T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Ignacio J. Muñoz</author><author>Agustín Alvarez Costa</author><author>Pablo E. Schilman</author><author>Luis A. Calcaterra</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionUrban landscapes are increasingly recognized as key arenas for biological invasions, yet the mechanisms enabling the local coexistence of multiple highly invasive species remain poorly understood. Urban habitat fragmentation generates mosaics of habitat patches that differ in size, isolation, and microhabitat complexity, shaping ant community structure and competitive interactions. MethodsHere, we investigated ant assemblages across a mosaic of urban habitat patches within a university campus in Buenos Aires, Argentina, focusing on four globally invasive ant species (Wasmannia auropunctata, Linepithema humile, Nylanderia fulva, and Solenopsis invicta) near the southern limit of their native ranges. We quantified species richness, abundance and composition using pitfall traps and evaluated species-specific indicators of food discovery, recruitment, and dominance using standardized bait experiments.ResultsAnt assemblages differed significantly among habitat patches, with marked spatial variation in richness, diversity, and species composition. Contrary to expectations of rigid dominance hierarchies, no single species consistently dominated across patches. Nylanderia fulva showed the highest numerical abundance and discovery efficiency, L. humile exhibited the strongest recruitment ability, and W. auropunctata displayed localized dominance near nesting areas, while S. invicta was rare and competitively subordinate. Ordination and multivariate analyses indicated strong spatial structuring of assemblages, consistent with the influence of urban fragmentation and patch-level heterogeneity.Discussion/ConclusionOverall, our results support a metacommunity perspective in which invasive ant coexistence in urban systems is mediated by context-dependent competitive interactions rather than fixed dominance hierarchies. By emphasizing the role of fine-scale spatial structure, this study provides a nuanced, system-specific contribution to understanding invasive ant dynamics in urban environments.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1669026</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1669026</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Blood feeding-induced transcriptomic changes in the hard tick Ixodes persulcatus]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-23T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Yihan Lou</author><author>Bin Wu</author><author>Wenwu Yao</author><author>Chuanxi Zhang</author><author>Haijun Xu</author><author>X. Frank Yang</author><author>Xuechao Zhang</author><author>Zhangnv Yang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionTicks are hematophagous ectoparasites that must overcome significant physiological challenges during blood feeding. These include managing oxidative stress, detoxifying host-derived molecules, and reallocating energy to support digestion, tissue remodeling, and reproduction.MethodsIn this study, we conducted a de novo transcriptome assembly and genome-wide transcriptional profiling of female Ixodes persulcatus ticks at three key feeding stages: unfed, semi-engorged, and fully engorged. Functional annotation and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analyses were conducted to characterize stage-associated transcriptional changes, with a focus on metabolic detoxification and antioxidant systems.Results and discussionWe generated a reference transcriptome containing 56,900 unigenes. Comprehensive analyses of metabolic detoxification and antioxidant systems revealed species-specific expansions in key supergene families such as cytochrome P450s and glutathione S-transferases. The expression profiles across feeding stages revealed pronounced physiological changes in response to blood meal, and GO enrichment analysis showed that these changes were mainly involved in blood acquisition, nutrient metabolism, respiratory processes, hormone synthesis, egg development, immune responses, ROS detoxification, transcription and translation. These findings offer new insights into the molecular physiology of tick hematophagy and provide a valuable resource for future studies on stress responses and metabolic regulation in ticks.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1774730</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1774730</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Temperature-dependent developmental modeling of protophormia terraenovae (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and its application in PMI inference]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-18T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Yali Guo</author><author>Yuequn Niu</author><author>Bo Wang</author><author>Zhou Li</author><author>Minghao Zhang</author><author>JiaHao Guo</author><author>Jifeng Cai</author><author>Fanming Meng</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Protophormia terraenovae is a forensically important blow fly species in cold regions. This study investigated its development at constant temperatures (15-25°C). Results showed that developmental duration significantly decreased with increasing temperature, with the total period ranging from 779.33 hours at 15 °C to 396.67 hours at 25 °C. The hatching and third-instar larval stages were most temperature-sensitive. We established Isomorphen and Isomegalen models, which visually illustrated the prolongation of development progress and the increased time required for larval growth per millimeter as temperature decreased. Thermal summation models indicated a strong linear relationship for the hatching and third-instar stages. Furthermore, we found that pupal weight was a more reliable growth indicators than length or width. This study provides fundamental developmental data and models for improving the accuracy of postmortem interval estimation using P. terraenovae in forensic practice.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1749736</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1749736</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Influence of egg traits on parasitism by Trichogramma chilonis Ishii, 1941 and Telenomus remus Nixon, 1937 against Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797)]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-17T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Kushal Giri</author><author>Min Raj Pokhrel</author><author>Ghanashyam Bhandari</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Trichogramma chilonis Ishii, 1941 and Telenomus remus Nixon, 1937 are the most common egg parasitoids of fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797) in maize growing areas. FAW lays single to multilayered egg which are covered with degrees of scale thickness. Here, we assessed the parasitism of both parasitoids over different FAW egg densities (single layered), egg mass scale coverage (multilayered), and the egg ages. Two laboratory experiments were conducted from May to November 2022 under controlled conditions (24.3 ± 0.8 °C, 69.3 ± 2.2% RH). The first experiment, using a three-factor complete randomized design (CRD), involved two egg parasitoid species, single-layered eggs at three densities (20, 43, and 60 eggs), and three egg age groups (less than 12 hours, 24–36 hours, and 48–60 hours), each replicated three times. The second experiment involved two parasitoid species, multilayered eggs with three levels of egg scale coverage (fully covered, partially covered, uncovered), and three egg age groups, each replicated three times. T. remus exhibited significantly higher parasitism rates than T. chilonis in both single and multilayered egg masses. T. remus parasitized all egg groups uniformly, while T. chilonis struggled with fully covered egg masses. Parasitism percentage decreased with the age of the host eggs in both parasitoid species. T. remus showed a higher adult emergence percentage, regardless of egg scale covering but declined with increasing host egg age. The percentage of female progeny and development period were similar for both parasitoid species but decreased as egg density and egg age increased.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1794283</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2026.1794283</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Correction: Evaluating the nutrient and fatty acid profiles of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) raised on various diets in Thailand]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Correction</category>
        <author>Sarayut Pittarate</author><author>Chaiwat Arjin</author><author>Perumal Vivekanandhan</author><author>Kannan Swathy</author><author>Chun-I Chiu</author><author>Supamit Mekchay</author><author>Patipan Hnokaew</author><author>Apinya Sartsook</author><author>Thanandon Siripan</author><author>Korawan Sringarm</author><author>Patcharin Krutmuang</author>
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