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        <title>Frontiers in Insect Science | Insect Physiology section | New and Recent Articles</title>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/insect-science/sections/insect-physiology</link>
        <description>RSS Feed for Insect Physiology section in the Frontiers in Insect Science journal | New and Recent Articles</description>
        <language>en-us</language>
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        <pubDate>2026-05-13T06:38:03.124+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
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        <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.2025.1712208</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2025.1712208</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Odorant-binding protein 84a-1 mediates detection of Guire No.82 mango volatiles in Bactrocera dorsalis: from structural analysis to behavioral validation]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-06T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Peng Peng</author><author>Yingying Tang</author><author>Shian Yang</author><author>Yingxi Mo</author><author>Guodi Huang</author><author>Yongsen Chen</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Bactrocera dorsalis is a serious pest of mango, causing heavy losses during fruit ripening. Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are pivotal in insect olfaction, facilitating the detection of host plant volatiles. In this study, we focused on OBPs that mediate responses to volatiles from the Guire No.82 mango. Quantitative real-time PCR showed cultivar-dependent expression of six antennal OBP genes. Among these, BdorOBP84a-1 was highly expressed in adults fed on Guire No.82. The 3D structure of BdorOBP84a-1 was predicted with AlphaFold3, showing six α-helices and three disulfide bonds forming a hydrophobic pocket. Molecular docking and 100-ns MD simulations indicated strong and stable binding of sesquiterpenes. Caryophyllene and ledene showed the lowest binding free energies (-31.87 and -30.62 kcal/mol) and stable RMSD/RMSF values. Key residues, including PHE95, ILE109 and PHE133, contributed to binding through hydrophobic and aromatic interactions. Y-tube behavioral assays validated these computational predictions. Caryophyllene attracted males at very low (0.01%) and high (10%) doses, females responded selectively at 0.1% and 1%, ledene attracted males at 0.1% and 10%, These findings suggest that BdorOBP84a-1 mediates recognition of mango sesquiterpenes and that caryophyllene and ledene are promising leads for new attractants in B. dorsalis management.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2025.1679816</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2025.1679816</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Life table variations in Wolbachia-transinfected (wMel & wAlbB strains) and uninfected Aedes aegypti: the role of various larval diets]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-12-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Yazhini Gunasekaran</author><author>Vidhya Pachalil Thiruvoth</author><author>Sakthivel Annamalai</author><author>Vijayakumar Balakrishnan</author><author>Shriram Ananganallur Nagarajan</author><author>Manju Rahi</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionWolbachia-based vector control strategies have been successfully implemented as a sustainable long-term solution and a promising tool for controlling Aedes mosquitoes, primarily Ae. aegypti, the main vector of major arboviral diseases. Since it is essential to rear healthy and competent adult mosquitoes for mass release under Wolbachia-based vector control strategies, optimising larval diet is essential. Therefore, the current study tested and compared four different larval diets to examine their statistical significance on the Wolbachia transinfected and uninfected Ae. aegypti life table traits.MethodsWe tested and compared the effects of four larval diets: LD1 (fish feed), LD2 (laboratory rodent diet), LD3 (mushroom powder), and LD4 (dog biscuit plus brewer’s yeast) on hatchability, pupation, adult emergence, fecundity, and adult survival of Wolbachia-transinfected (wMel and wAlbB) Puducherry strains, as  Among the tested diets, fish feed (LD1) and the combination of dog biscuit with brewer’s yeast (LD4) have significant effects in both Wolbachia-transinfected and uninfected Ae. aegypti strains regarding egg hatchability, pupation, adult emergence, fecundity, and adult survival.ResultsThe highest fecundity was observed under LD1 for uninfected Ae. aegypti, with approximately 84 eggs/female (84.0 ± 6.0), followed by wMel (Pud) mosquitoes (~78 eggs/female, 78.0 ± 5.2) and uninfected mosquitoes (~75 eggs/female,74.6 ± 23.3) under LD4 diet in the F0 generation. The uninfected Ae. aegypti females exhibited significantly lower mortality risk under LD2 (Hazard Ratio (HR)=0.56<1, P<0.001), with a high median survival of 57 days compared to all other diets.DiscussionThe results of this study suggest that LD1 (fish feed) can be recommended as the superior larval diet for the mass rearing of Wolbachia-transinfected strains, although both LD1 and LD4 diets demonstrated positive effects on all the Ae. aegypti strains. Meanwhile, LD4 (dog biscuit + brewer’s yeast) can be recommended for the routine rearing of uninfected Ae. aegypti colonies, as it is comparatively cost-effective and readily available in India. These findings could contribute to the large-scale mosquito rearing programs under the Wolbachia strategy, ultimately supporting the implementation of sustainable vector control approaches for arboviral disease management.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2025.1719937</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2025.1719937</link>
        <title><![CDATA[The GPCR A35 regulates fecundity of Nilaparvata lugens Stål via juvenile hormone signaling]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-11-26T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Minjuan Cao</author><author>Di Deng</author><author>Ziyue Mao</author><author>Zhirou Duan</author><author>Yuhang Sun</author><author>Xudong Zhao</author><author>Linquan Ge</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens is a major rice pest in Asia, with its high fecundity contributing to recurrent outbreaks. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a critical class of transmembrane proteins in insects that sense diverse extracellular and intracellular signals and regulate a wide range of physiological processes. In this study, we characterized GPCR A35 and its function in N. lugens fecundity. Expression profiling revealed that GPCR A35 was highly enriched in female heads and fat bodies, with peak levels in females at 4 days post-eclosion. RNAi-mediated the silencing of GPCR A35 in fifth-instar nymphs by 57–60%, and was effectively delivered to female adults, resulting in a 14.8% reduction in juvenile hormone (JH) titer and marked downregulation of JH biosynthetic and signaling genes, including HMGCR (−60.1%), FPPS (−57.0%), JHAMT (−52.7%), Met (−24.2%), and Kr-h1 (−78.3%). Silencing of GPCR A35 further decreased Vg and VgR expression by 82.1% and 72.9% in females at 4 days post-eclosion, reduced protein contents in fat body and ovaries, and impaired ovarian development with fewer mature oocytes. Consequently, female fecundity declined by 51.3%, oviposition duration shortened by 18.5%, and the F1 population growth index decreased by 46.8%. These results demonstrate that GPCR A35 regulates fecundity in N. lugens by modulating JH-mediated vitellogenesis and oogenesis, providing a novel molecular target for RNAi-based green pest control.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2025.1675406</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2025.1675406</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Morphology and distribution of sensilla on the antennae and mouthparts of adult Monochamus saltuarius Gebler (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-10-21T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Jianjun Wang</author><author>Jianguo Wang</author><author>Jingxian Wang</author><author>Xu Jiang</author><author>Shitan Ren</author><author>Chuanwang Cao</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Monochamus saltuarius is an important wood-boring pest of forests and a vector insect for the transmission of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in China and other East Asian regions. To gain insight into the Mo. saltuarius olfactory system, we characterized the sizes and morphological characteristics of sensilla on antennae, maxillary palps, and labial palps of adults by scanning electron microscopy. Eight types of antennal sensilla were identified on the antennae: Böhm bristles (BBs), sensilla chaetica (SChs, with subtypes SChI and SChII), sensilla trichodea (STs, with subtypes STI, STII and STIII), sensilla auricillica (SAus), sensilla basiconica (SBs, with subtypes SBI and SBII), sensilla grooved peg (SGPs), dome shaped organs (DSOs), and cuticular pores (CPs); among these, BBs, STIs, STIIs, SChIs, and SChIIs may be mechanoreceptors, and STIIIs, SAus, SBIs, SBIIs, SGPs and CPs may be chemoreceptors. Seven sensillum types were identified on maxillary palps and labial palps: BBs, STs (with subtypes STII, and STIII), SChs, sensilla placodea (SPs), sensilla coeloconica (SCos), CPs, and sensilla twig basiconica (STBs, with subtypes STBI, STBII, STBIII, and STBIV), among which BBs, STIIs, and SChs may be mechanoreceptors, and STIIIs, SPs, CPs, STBIs, STBIIs, STBIIIs, and STIVs may be chemoreceptors. DSOs on the antennae and SCos on the palps may be hydroreceptors, and/or thermoreceptors. The types and densities of sensilla increased from the base to the tip of the antennae, and sensilla with chemical-sensing functions were concentrated mostly on the flagellum. Identification of these sensillum types provides a basis for analyzing the mechanisms of host recognition and environmental perception of Mo. saltuarius.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2025.1680910</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2025.1680910</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Effects of pre-adult photoperiod experience on reproductive parameters of Chrysoperla nipponensis (Tjeder): potential implications for mass-rearing of natural enemies]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-09-25T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Xue Kong</author><author>Minghui Xu</author><author>Haolin Li</author><author>Shaofeng Zhong</author><author>Dandan Li</author><author>Yongyu Xu</author><author>Zhenzhen Chen</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Photoperiod is a critical environmental factor for insect development and physiology, yet little is known about the effects of photoperiodic signals received during photoperiod-sensitive stages on reproductive parameters. The green lacewing, Chrysoperla nipponensis, is a promising candidate for mass rearing in biological control. Photoperiod is the primary environmental factor influencing C. nipponensis reproductive diapause. This study investigates how photoperiodic cues during photoperiod-sensitive stages affect key reproductive parameters such as fecundity, lifespan, oviposition duration, oviposition rate, diapause rate, pre-oviposition period, and lipid content of C. nipponensis. The results showed that short-day conditions (Light:Dark = 9h:15h; L9:D15) during pre-adult stages increase total lipid and triglyceride levels in both third larvae and newly emerged females, thereby enhancing fecundity of female, without reducing lifespan or oviposition. Furthermore, long-day conditions (Light:Dark = 15h:9h; L15:D9) during the pre-adult stage inhibited diapause, while increasing fecundity and extending oviposition duration. Our findings demonstrate that photoperiodic signals during the pre-adult stages significantly affect the reproductive parameters of C. nipponensis, which advances the understanding of photoperiod-dependent reproductive diapause and offers novel insights for optimizing strategies in mass-rearing of natural enemies.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2025.1602055</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2025.1602055</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Panoramic view of diversity and function of cuticular proteins in insects and mosquitoes biology]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-08-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Yamini Thakur</author><author>Sanjay Tevatiya</author><author>Gaurav Kumar</author><author>Meenakshi Jeena</author><author>Vaishali Verma</author><author>Rajnikant Dixit</author><author>Shweta Pasi</author><author>Alex Eapen</author><author>Jaspreet Kaur</author>
        <description><![CDATA[AimThe insect cuticle, vital for structural maintenance, forms their exoskeleton. It is mainly composed of an intermesh of – structural cuticle proteins (CPs) with polysaccharide chitin. The insect CPs encoded by CP genes are indispensable for morphology, development and adaptation to various ecological niches across all life stages. The number of CPs may vary across genera and species, with almost 150 proteins in Bombyx mori and more than 298 CPs found in Anopheles gambiae. While they have been extensively studied in insects such as agricultural pests, limited studies have been conducted on mosquitoes, particularly those relevant to public health, such as the Anopheles a key malaria vector.ObjectiveThis review recapitulates current knowledge on CPs in insects, while also underscoring vital knowledge gaps regarding regulation and metabolic crosstalk of CPs with other signaling and/or metabolic pathways.MethodsWe performed a comprehensive review of published studies and extracted data from databases including Vectorbase and NCBI with the aim of retrieving information on cuticular proteins, their gene families, abundance and associated functions. Additionally, we identified and analyzed the gaps in the available information. A literature search was conducted between (2000 and 2025) in an electronic database using PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar. The search keywords were: cuticular proteins, cuticular genes, Anopheles, mosquito cuticle proteins, insecticide resistance, and CP gene families.Inclusion criteria: peer-reviewed research articles and review papers particularly focused on CPs in insects and Anopheles mosquito species.ResultsIn the present review, we provide comprehensive analysis of cuticle protein families across insects including mosquitoes based on available data. We further highlight their basic constituents and protein domain structure, offering insight into their role in insect physiology. We have effectively integrated insect studies with mosquito-specific research on CPs (bridging the gap between insect and mosquito-specific research). This holistic approach would facilitate a broader comprehension of CPs in both insect and mosquito vectors.Main conclusionsThe goal of this study is to enhance our understanding of insects and Anopheles biology and how studies on CPs could be leveraged to develop novel strategy for management of pest and combat vector-borne diseases (VBDs).]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2025.1596020</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2025.1596020</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Progressive mitochondrial dysfunction impairs visual signal transduction and induces retinal degeneration in Drosophila]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-07-28T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Jinguo Cao</author><author>Yining Li</author><author>Xiaohui Hu</author><author>Zhaoqi Wu</author><author>Jiting Zhang</author><author>Yue Zhou</author><author>Wei Luan</author><author>Wen Hu</author><author>Jianhong Tang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Mitochondrial dysfunction is closely associated with the pathogenesis of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), often through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which disrupts visual signal transduction. However, in certain instances, mitochondrial dysfunction does not correlate with an increase in ROS, and the precise mechanisms by which mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to RP remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that mitochondrial dysfunction can also impair visual signal transduction through ROS-independent mechanisms. Specifically, we identify that mitochondrial dysfunction affects key processes in phototransduction, including activation and bleaching, leading to the degradation of photoreceptor proteins and, ultimately, retinal degeneration. Our findings reveal that mitochondrial dysfunction influences RP through multifaceted pathways, underscoring its role in both hereditary and age-related forms of visual diseases. This study enhances our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying RP and establishes a novel model for investigating mitochondrial dysfunction in visual pathologies.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2025.1562606</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2025.1562606</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Aphid wing polyphenism and conspecific egg cannibalism affect the developmental and reproductive performance of Chrysoperla carnea]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-04-22T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Ahmed A. Rashed</author><author>Marwa M. Ramadan</author><author>Mona M. Shalaby</author><author>Amged El-Harairy</author><author>Mohamed H. Bayoumy</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Aphid polyphenism and egg cannibalism may have nutritional consequences for the development, survival, and reproduction of predatory insects. Although predators have the same probability of attacking winged and wingless morphs in natural conditions, an increment in the proportion of winged morphs dispersed under predation risk may have a negative effect on predator feeding by reducing the size of the wingless form available on the plant. However, the wingless aphids may be richer in nutritional value than the dispersed winged aphids. Therefore, the nutritional consequences of aphid morphs and egg cannibalism for development, survival, 10-clutch fecundity and fertility, and the time needed for 10 clutches of eggs Chrysoperla carnea were addressed via a series of experiments. Wingless aphids accelerated the total development and increased the survival of C. carnea compared to the winged aphids. Furthermore, feeding with the wingless form increased the 10-clutch fecundities and fertilities, and reduced the days needed for 10 clutches of eggs. Neonate larvae of C. carnea that devoured two conspecific eggs took a shorter time with an acceleration in the overall development of C. carnea. Immature mortality was higher in controls than in the cannibalism treatment. Reproductive benefits were obvious in females permitted to consume two conspecific eggs during their first instar compared to those that did not. However, the time needed for 10 ovipositions did not differ between both groups. These findings are ecologically significant because C. carnea females are able to adapt to the stresses imposed by nature without needing winged aphid prey to distribute their eggs widely, as their larvae can grow on their own eggs and gain developmental and reproductive benefits from such behavior when prey availability or quality is low.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2024.1411342</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2024.1411342</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Exploring the impact of xenobiotic drugs on forensic entomology for accurate post-mortem interval estimation]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-01-28T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Sapna Jain</author><author>Jonathan J. Parrott</author><author>Gulnaz T. Javan</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Forensic entomotoxicology is an emerging field within forensic entomology that investigates the effects of chemicals, drugs, and toxins on insect development and their implications for postmortem interval (PMI) estimation. This systematic overview delves into the influence of drugs such as Morphine, heroin, Opiates, and cocaine on the variables affecting the use of forensically significant insects as evidence tools. Notably, it has been observed that the presence of drugs does not appear to alter the progression of the lifecycle from the first instar to the emergence of flies, indicating that PMI estimations based on fly emergence remain unaffected by drugs. However, larvae treated with drugs frequently show delayed pupation, suggesting the need for further research into the impact of different compounds on various insect species over more extended observation periods. Additionally, conflicting results have been noted regarding how toxins can influence the developmental process in larvae, underscoring the necessity to assess the effect of different classes of compounds on other insect species. The study also recommends exploring factors such as the samples’ collection site and the drugs’ pathological implications to inspire future research. Furthermore, the paper underscores the potential for varying drug effects across insect species, emphasizing the complexity of interpreting drug impacts on PMI estimations. This systematic review was conducted by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2024.1510857</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2024.1510857</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Repellents against Aedes aegypti bites: synthetic and natural origins]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-01-22T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Mini Review</category>
        <author>Melissa Noguera-Gahona</author><author>Cindy Peña-Moreno</author><author>Natalia Quiñones-Sobarzo</author><author>Caroline Weinstein-Oppenheimer</author><author>María Guerra-Zúñiga</author><author>Ximena Collao-Ferrada</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Dengue fever, transmitted by mosquitoes of the Aedes genus, particularly Aedes aegypti, has emerged as a global health issue. With the expansion of this mosquito to new geographical areas, driven by factors such as climate change, the need for preventive measures like using insect repellents has become critical. The present review explores the current state of the art on topical mosquito repellents, both synthetic and natural, used globally, especially in regions where dengue is endemic. Among synthetic repellents, DEET is the most widely used, supported by investigations demonstrating its efficacy and safety, although concerns about its toxicity exist in exceptional cases. Other compounds, such as picaridin, IR3535, and PMD are also common and offer alternatives with variable safety and efficacy profiles. Natural repellents, such as essential oils of citronella, lemon eucalyptus, and clove, have proven effective against Aedes aegypti. However, they present challenges due to rapid volatilization and the limited duration of their protective effect. To address these issues, combinations of essential oils and synthetic compounds have been proposed to improve efficacy and safety. Finally, the review highlights the complexity and the challenges of developing new repellents, including the high costs and lengthy timelines for commercialization, as well as the importance of continued research to improve the efficacy and safety of these products.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2024.1519986</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2024.1519986</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Evidence of horizontal transmission of Wolbachia wCcep in rice moths parasitized by Trichogramma chilonis and its persistence across generations]]></title>
        <pubdate>2024-12-09T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Brief Research Report</category>
        <author>C. T. Lai</author><author>Y. T. Hsiao</author><author>Li-Hsin Wu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The horizontal transmission of endosymbionts between hosts and parasitoids plays a crucial role in biological control, yet its mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigates the dynamics of horizontal transfer of Wolbachia (wCcep) from the rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica, to its parasitoid, Trichogramma chilonis. Through PCR detection and phylogenetic analysis, we demonstrated the presence of identical wCcep strains in both host and parasitoid populations, providing evidence for natural horizontal transmission. To investigate thoroughly, Wolbachia-free colonies were acquired through tetracycline treatment, and the initial density of wCcep in host eggs significantly influences transmission efficiency. High-density wCcep infections led to rapid transmission, with F1 parasitoid titers increasing by as much as 100-fold, while low-density infections exhibited more gradual increases. Additionally, without continuous exposure to infected hosts, wCcep density in T. chilonis diminished over generations. These findings enhance our understanding of Wolbachia’s transfer dynamics and have important implications for developing effective and sustainable biological control strategies using parasitoid wasps, particularly in managing Wolbachia-related pest populations in agricultural systems.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2024.1483760</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2024.1483760</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Editorial: Rising stars in insect physiology]]></title>
        <pubdate>2024-09-26T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Editorial</category>
        <author>Peter M. Piermarini</author><author>Nicholas M. Teets</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2024.1426715</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2024.1426715</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Context-specific variation in life history traits and behavior of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes]]></title>
        <pubdate>2024-09-25T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Clément Vinauger</author><author>Karthikeyan Chandrasegaran</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Aedes aegypti, the vector for dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika, poses a growing global epidemiological risk. Despite extensive research on Ae. aegypti’s life history traits and behavior, critical knowledge gaps persist, particularly in integrating these findings across varied experimental contexts. The plasticity of Ae. aegypti’s traits throughout its life cycle allows dynamic responses to environmental changes, yet understanding these variations within heterogeneous study designs remains challenging. A critical aspect often overlooked is the impact of using lab-adapted lines of Ae. aegypti, which may have evolved under laboratory conditions, potentially altering their life history traits and behavioral responses compared to wild populations. Therefore, incorporating field-derived populations in experimental designs is essential to capture the natural variability and adaptability of Ae. aegypti. The relationship between larval growing conditions and adult traits and behavior is significantly influenced by the specific context in which mosquitoes are studied. Laboratory conditions may not replicate the ecological complexities faced by wild populations, leading to discrepancies in observed traits and behavior. These discrepancies highlight the need for ecologically relevant experimental conditions, allowing mosquito traits and behavior to reflect field distributions. One effective approach is semi-field studies involving field-collected mosquitoes housed for fewer generations in the lab under ecologically relevant conditions. This growing trend provides researchers with the desired control over experimental conditions while maintaining the genetic diversity of field populations. By focusing on variations in life history traits and behavioral plasticity within these varied contexts, this review highlights the intricate relationship between larval growing conditions and adult traits and behavior. It underscores the significance of transstadial effects and the necessity of adopting study designs and reporting practices that acknowledge plasticity in adult traits and behavior, considering variations due to larval rearing conditions. Embracing such approaches paves the way for a comprehensive understanding of contextual variations in mosquito life history traits and behavior. This integrated perspective enables the synthesis of research findings across laboratory, semi-field, and field-based investigations, which is crucial for devising targeted intervention strategies tailored to specific ecological contexts to combat the health threat posed by this formidable disease vector effectively.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2024.1475411</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2024.1475411</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Effects of temperature and storage duration on quality of an insect artificial diet]]></title>
        <pubdate>2024-09-18T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Khanh-Van Ho</author><author>Bruce E. Hibbard</author><author>Michael G. Vella</author><author>Kent S. Shelby</author><author>Man P. Huynh</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Artificial diets are widely used to produce insects for research and education programs. Completed diets, in which the diets are fully made from individual ingredients and ready to use, often have high water activity, making them vulnerable to degradation. Proper storage is critical to maintaining diet quality, yet the storage conditions are not well investigated. In this study, we characterized the effects of storage conditions (temperatures and storage duration) on the quality of a diet capable of rearing both specialist and generalist insect species. The completed diet, produced by both private industry and a USDA-Agricultural Research Service laboratory, was exposed to varying temperatures during a 24-hour transit over 1600 km. After transit, it was stored at 4°C for a total storage period of 28 days. In a separate experiment, the completed diet was stored immediately after diet production at five fixed temperatures (-20, 4, 22, 25, and 33°C) for up to 28 days. For both experiments, at 5 intervals after storage (1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days), diet quality was accessed by life history parameters (survival, molting, and weight) of western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) larvae, the most serious maize pest in the United States. Our results showed that exposure to varying temperatures between -2°C and 27°C for 24 hours had no significant impact on diet quality. However, extended storage (beyond 24 hours) at any of the fixed temperatures negatively affected diet quality. Insects reared on diets stored for over 24 hours at fixed temperatures ranging from -20°C to 33°C had significant declines in performance. Among the tested temperatures, -20°C and 4°C were found to be the most effective for preserving diet quality. At these low temperatures, there were no significant changes in insect weight and survival for diets stored within 21 and 28 days, respectively, though molting was significantly reduced within 7 days of storage. These findings provide the base of information on the storage conditions for completed diets, supporting the production of healthy insects.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2024.1392198</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2024.1392198</link>
        <title><![CDATA[A universal artificial diet for corn rootworm (Diabrotica spp.) larval biopesticide assays]]></title>
        <pubdate>2024-07-02T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Khanh-Van Ho</author><author>Bruce E. Hibbard</author><author>Thu T. H. Do</author><author>Adrian J. Pekarcik</author><author>Man P. Huynh</author>
        <description><![CDATA[We identified a single diet formulation that can be used for three Diabrotica species including southern (SCR), western (WCR), and northern corn rootworm (NCR) by evaluating the performance of these pests on specialized diets (F9800B diet for SCR, WCRMO-2 diet for WCR, and NCRMO-1 diet for NCR) and a larval diet (F9772 diet) widely used for lepidopteran species. After 10 days of rearing, the WCRMO-2 diet yielded better or equal larval growth and development of all three rootworm species compared to other diets. For SCR larvae, the WCRMO-2 diet outperformed other diets. Larval fresh weight, percent molt to 2nd instar, and percent molt to 3rd instar on the WCRMO-2 diet were 12-fold, 2.7-fold, and 14-fold increases, respectively compared to that of the F9800B diet. Significantly more SCR larvae survived on the WCRMO-2 diet (98.9%) than on the F9800B diet (90.6%). The WCRMO-2 diet supported WCR and NCR larvae equal to the NCRMO-1 diet and better than other diets. The F9772 diet was the worst diet of all examined species. The availability of a universal diet (the WCRMO-2 diet) for the three Diabrotica species would facilitate research programs to monitor resistance development and develop new control tactics targeting these important pests.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2024.1430422</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2024.1430422</link>
        <title><![CDATA[The impact of non-lethal doses of pyriproxyfen on male and female Aedes albopictus reproductive fitness]]></title>
        <pubdate>2024-07-02T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Sri Jyosthsna Kancharlapalli</author><author>Corey L. Brelsfoard</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionControl of the mosquito Aedes albopictus is confounded by its behavior due to females preferring to oviposition in small natural and artificial containers that are often difficult to remove or treat with insecticides. Autodissemination strategies utilizing highly potent insect growth regulators (IGRs) have emerged as promising tools for the control of this container-inhabiting species. The intended goal of autodissemination approaches is to use mosquitoes to self-deliver an IGR to these cryptic oviposition locations. Previous studies have focused on the efficacy of these approaches to impact natural populations, but little focus has been placed on the impacts on mosquitoes when exposed to non-lethal doses of IGRs similar to the levels they would be exposed to with autodissemination approaches.MethodsIn this study, the impact of non-lethal doses of pyriproxyfen (PPF) on the reproductive fitness of Ae. albopictus was investigated. Female and male Ae. albopictus mosquitoes were exposed to non-lethal doses of PPF and their fecundity and fertility were measured. To examine the impact of non-lethal doses of PPF, the expression of the ecdysone-regulated genes USP, HR3, and Vg, which are involved in vitellogenesis, was determined.ResultsOur results demonstrated a significant reduction in female fecundity and in the blood feeding and egg hatching rates upon exposure to non-lethal doses of PPF. Oocyte development was also delayed in PPF-treated females. Furthermore, exposure to non-lethal doses of PPF altered the expression of the genes involved in vitellogenesis, indicating disruption of hormonal regulation. Interestingly, PPF exposure also reduced the sperm production in males, suggesting a potential semi-sterilization effect.DiscussionThese findings suggest that non-lethal doses of PPF could enhance the efficacy of autodissemination approaches by impacting the reproductive fitness of both males and females. However, further research is needed to validate these laboratory findings in field settings and to assess their practical implications for vector control strategies.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2024.1358619</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2024.1358619</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Consuming royal jelly alters several phenotypes associated with overwintering dormancy in mosquitoes]]></title>
        <pubdate>2024-06-07T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Olivia E. Bianco</author><author>Aisha Abdi</author><author>Matthias S. Klein</author><author>Xueyan Wei</author><author>Cheolho Sim</author><author>Megan E. Meuti</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionFemales of the Northern house mosquito, Culex pipiens, enter an overwintering dormancy, or diapause, in response to short day lengths and low environmental temperatures that is characterized by small egg follicles and high starvation resistance. During diapause, Culex pipiens Major Royal Jelly Protein 1 ortholog (CpMRJP1) is upregulated in females of Cx. pipiens. This protein is highly abundant in royal jelly, a substance produced by honey bees (Apis mellifera), that is fed to future queens throughout larval development and induces the queen phenotype (e.g., high reproductive activity and longer lifespan). However, the role of CpMRJP1 in Cx. pipiens is unknown.MethodsWe first conducted a phylogenetic analysis to determine how the sequence of CpMRJP1 compares with other species. We then investigated how supplementing the diets of both diapausing and nondiapausing females of Cx. pipiens with royal jelly affects egg follicle length, fat content, protein content, starvation resistance, and metabolic profile.ResultsWe found that feeding royal jelly to females reared in long-day, diapause-averting conditions significantly reduced the egg follicle lengths and switched their metabolic profiles to be similar to diapausing females. In contrast, feeding royal jelly to females reared in short-day, diapause-inducing conditions significantly reduced lifespan and switched their metabolic profile to be similar nondiapausing mosquitoes. Moreover, RNAi directed against CpMRJPI significantly increased egg follicle length of short-day reared females, suggesting that these females averted diapause.DiscussionTaken together, our data show that consuming royal jelly reverses several key seasonal phenotypes of Cx. pipiens and that these responses are likely mediated in part by CpMRJP1.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2024.1385895</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2024.1385895</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Voltage-gated ion channels as novel regulators of epithelial ion transport in the osmoregulatory organs of insects]]></title>
        <pubdate>2024-05-21T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Mini Review</category>
        <author>Jocelyne Dates</author><author>Dennis Kolosov</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Voltage-gated ion channels (VGICs) respond to changes in membrane potential (Vm) and typically exhibit fast kinetic properties. They play an important role in signal detection and propagation in excitable tissues. In contrast, the role of VGICs in non-excitable tissues like epithelia is less studied and less clear. Studies in epithelia of vertebrates and invertebrates demonstrate wide expression of VGICs in epithelia of animals. Recently, VGICs have emerged as regulators of ion transport in the Malpighian tubules (MTs) and other osmoregulatory organs of insects. This mini-review aims to concisely summarize which VGICs have been implicated in the regulation of ion transport in the osmoregulatory epithelia of insects to date, and highlight select groups for further study. We have also speculated on the roles VGICs may potentially play in regulating processes connected directly to ion transport in insects (e.g., acid-base balance, desiccation, thermal tolerance). This review is not meant to be exhaustive but should rather serve as a thought-provoking collection of select existing highlights on VGICs, and to emphasize how understudied this mechanism of ion transport regulation is in insect epithelia.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2024.1415809</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2024.1415809</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Editorial: Diet, nutrition and insect responses to environmental change]]></title>
        <pubdate>2024-04-26T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Editorial</category>
        <author>C. Ruth Archer</author><author>Christopher W. Weldon</author>
        <description></description>
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