Beneficial Insects Research Articles

Effects of Species-Rich Perennial Inter-Row Cover on Weed Flora and Soil Coverage in an Apple Orchard: A Case Study of Opportunities and Limitations in a Dry Continental Climate

The planting of inter-row cover vegetation has long been practised in Western European fruit-growing regions, yet research in this area remains limited in many countries. With the rise of organic farming, the role and selection of inter-row cover species are becoming increasingly important. Proper species selection enhances weed control and promotes biodiversity, supporting flowering plants and beneficial insects in orchards. The six-year research aimed to develop a multi-species, perennial, multifunctional inter-row cover species mixture for a dry continental climate, which is suitable for soil protection and the displacement of heat-loving, drought-tolerant, invasive weed species. There was another expectation for this native seed mixture to be able to regenerate spontaneously and to be sustainable in the orchard for a long time with minimal maintenance. Based on our results, the two multi-species mixtures (15 and 18 species) successfully reduced the cover of weed species, and their composition changed in the direction of the natural flora characteristic of the area. According to general management practices, native species could not widely appear in the control rows created by mowing the local weed flora.

GDnet-IP: Grouped Dropout-Based Convolutional Neural Network for Insect Pest Recognition

Lightweight convolutional neural network (CNN) models have proven effective in recognizing common pest species, yet challenges remain in enhancing their nonlinear learning capacity and reducing overfitting. This study introduces a grouped dropout strategy and modifies the CNN architecture to improve the accuracy of multi-class insect recognition. Specifically, we optimized the base model by selecting appropriate optimizers, fine-tuning the dropout probability, and adjusting the learning rate decay strategy. Additionally, we replaced ReLU with PReLU and added BatchNorm layers after each Inception layer, enhancing the model’s nonlinear expression and training stability. Leveraging the Inception module’s branching structure and the adaptive grouping properties of the WeDIV clustering algorithm, we developed two grouped dropout models, the iGDnet-IP and GDnet-IP. Experimental results on a dataset containing 20 insect species (15 pests and five beneficial insects) demonstrated an increase in cross-validation accuracy from 84.68% to 92.12%, with notable improvements in the recognition rates for difficult-to-classify species, such as Parnara guttatus Bremer and Grey (PGBG) and Papilio xuthus Linnaeus (PXLL), increasing from 38% and 47% to 62% and 93%, respectively. Furthermore, these models showed significant accuracy advantages over standard dropout methods on test sets, with faster training times compared to four conventional CNN models, highlighting their suitability for mobile applications. Theoretical analyses of model gradients and Fisher information provide further insight into the grouped dropout strategy’s role in improving CNN interpretability for insect recognition tasks.

Insect Phototaxis Mechanisms Innovations in Pest Control Strategies and Applications

Phototaxis, the movement of insects toward or away from light, is a critical behavioral response that influences feeding, mating, and habitat selection. Understanding the mechanisms behind insect phototaxis can lead to the development of effective and environmentally sustainable pest control strategies and explores the biological foundations of phototaxis, including the role of insect visual systems, light sensitivity, and circadian rhythms. Recent advancements in phototaxis-based pest management, particularly the use of energy-efficient LED light traps, solar-powered traps, and wavelength-specific attractants, are also discussed. These innovations offer promising alternatives to chemical pesticides, reducing environmental impact and enhancing agricultural sustainability. The integration of phototaxis-based tools with other methods, such as biological control and habitat management, is highlighted as a way to improve pest suppression while preserving beneficial insect species. Challenges, including non-target effects, variability in insect responses, and potential light pollution, are also addressed. To emphasize the need for tailored light wavelengths, smart farming integration, and eco-friendly solutions that minimize unintended ecological consequences and underscores the potential of insect phototaxis to transform pest management, offering a comprehensive framework for more sustainable agricultural practices.

Impact of Sublethal Insecticides Exposure on Vespa magnifica: Insights from Physiological and Transcriptomic Analyses

Insecticides are widely used to boost crop yields, but their effects on non-target insects like Vespa magnifica are still poorly understood. Despite its ecological and economic significance, Vespa magnifica has been largely neglected in risk assessments. This study employed physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic analyses to investigate the impact of sublethal concentrations of thiamethoxam, avermectin, chlorfenapyr, and β-cypermethrin on Vespa magnifica. Although larval survival rates remained unchanged, both pupation and fledge rates were significantly reduced. Enzymatic assays indicated an upregulation of superoxide dismutase and catalase activity alongside a suppression of peroxidase under insecticide stress. Transcriptomic analysis revealed increased adenosine triphosphate-related processes and mitochondrial electron transport activity, suggesting elevated energy expenditure to counter insecticide exposure, potentially impairing essential functions like flight, hunting, and immune response. The enrichment of pathways such as glycolysis, hypoxia-inducible factor signaling, and cholinergic synaptic metabolism under insecticide stress highlights the complexity of the molecular response with notable effects on learning, memory, and detoxification processes. These findings underscore the broader ecological risks of insecticide exposure to non-target insects and highlight the need for further research into the long-term effects of newer insecticides along with the development of strategies to safeguard beneficial insect populations.

"Wasps: a Guide for Eastern North America: their Biology, Diversity, and Role as Beneficial Insects and Pollinators of Native Plants" by Heather Holm. 2022 [book review

"Wasps: a Guide for Eastern North America: their Biology, Diversity, and Role as Beneficial Insects and Pollinators of Native Plants" by Heather Holm. 2022 [book review

Biodiversity assessment and environmental risk analysis of the single line transgenic pod borer resistant cowpea.

The discussion surrounding biological diversity has reached a critical point with the introduction of Nigeria's first transgenic food crop, the pod borer-resistant (PBR) cowpea. Questions have been raised about the potential risks of the transgenic Maruca vitrata-resistant cowpea to human health and beneficial insects. Public apprehension, coupled with social activists' calling for the removal of this crop from the nation's food market, persists. However, there is a lack of data to counter the assertion that cultivating PBR cowpea may have adverse effects on biodiversity and the overall ecological system. This research, with its multifaceted objective of examining the environmental safety of PBR cowpea and assessing its impact on biodiversity compared to its non-transgenic counterpart, IT97KN, is of utmost importance in providing the necessary data to address these concerns. Seeds for both the transgenic PBR cowpea and its isoline were obtained from the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) Zaria before planting at various farm sites (Addae et al., 2020). Throughout the experiment, local cultural practices were strictly followed to cultivate both transgenic and non-transgenic cowpeas. Elaborate taxonomic keys were used to identify arthropods and other non-targeted organisms. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to evaluate potential modifications in all ecological niches of the crops. The lmer function of the R package lme4 was used to analyze diversity indices, including Shannon, Pielou, and Simpson. The Bray-Curtis index was used to analyzed potential modifications in the dissimilarities of non-targeted organisms' communities. Examination of ecological species abundance per counting week (CW) revealed no disruption in the biological properties of non-targeted species due to the cultivation of transgenic PBR cowpea. Analysis of species evenness and diversity indices indicated no significant difference between the fields of transgenic PBR cowpea and its isoline. Principal component analysis results demonstrated that planting PBR cowpea did not create an imbalance in the distribution of ecological species. All species and families observed during this study were more abundant in transgenic PBR cowpea fields than in non-transgenic cowpea fields, suggesting that the transformation of cowpea does not negatively impact non-targeted organisms and their communities. Evolution dynamics of the species community between transgenic and non-transgenic cowpea fields showed a similar trend throughout the study period, with no significant divergence induced in the community structure because of PBR cowpea planting. This study concludes that planting transgenic PBR cowpea positively influences biodiversity and the environment.

Enhancing pest management - Utilizing supplementary food spray to harness predatory insects against fall armyworm in maize crop of Vinh Phuc Province, Vietnam

The effect of supplementary food spray on the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and beneficial insects (predominantly predatory insects) was studied in commercial maize field experiments from 2020 to 2022. The food spray formulation was developed from local ingredients in Vietnam, both with and without neem extract. The sugar-based rice dough product attracted and sustained beneficial insects, significantly reducing fall armyworm populations. Compared to conventional insecticide treatments, the net margin achieved in plots treated with food spray was higher ($3,467) to $3,394 in the conventional insecticide-treated plots demonstrating its economic viability (1 AUD=17.28 VND). Our study observed an average predator-to-prey ratio of 9.2:1 per plant in the food-spray-treated plots, and that was effective in managing the fall armyworm throughout the season. We propose that this ratio can serve as a valuable parameter and decisionmaking tool in food spray-based Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs against fall armyworm in maize fields. Therefore, we suggest that food sprays can be incorporated into IPM strategies to successfully manage fall armyworm infestation in maize crop.

EUROPEAN PAPER BEES, POLISTES DOMINULA AND POLISTES NIMPHA (CHRIST, 1791) (HYMENOPTERA: VESPIDAE) PATHOGENS PRESENCE AND THEIR POTENTIAL INSECTICIDAL EFFECTS ON HONEYBEES ADULTS OF APIS MELLIFERA CAUCASIA (POLLMANN, 1889)

Honeybee (Apis mellifera) is an important element of biodiversity and terrestrial ecosystems. Any pathogenic infection in this beneficial insect can lead to major undesirable disasters. This study investigated the pathogenic bacteria and fungi from Polistes dominula and Polistes nimpha wasps and their potential insecticidal effects on Apis mellifera caucasia. For this purpose, bacteria and fungi were isolated from dead and diseased bees collected from Terme district of Samsun province in Türkiye in May and June 2020. In the study, Granulicatella adiacens, Staphylococcus xylosus, Sphingomonas paucimobilis bacteria and Cryptococcus laurentii and Candida famata fungi were obtained from the internal tissues and organs of Polistes dominula paper wasp adults. Staphylococcus xylosus and Sphingomonas paucimobilis were found to be common bacteria in both bee species. Serratia marcescens and Enterococcus faecalis bacterial species were found to have a very lethal effect on honeybees. Bioassay experiments were performed on the detected fungi, and it was observed that Cryptococcus laurentii and Candida famata fungi species also had lethal effects on honeybees. It has been revealed that entomopathogenic bacteria, which are known to be very effective in biological control against harmful insects, can cause unwanted infections in honeybees.

Determination of Beneficial Insect and Mite Species in the Vineyard Areas of Hazro District (Diyarbakır)

There are many insect and mite species from different order sand families that cause damage to vineyards. Therefore, it is important to use biotechnical methods as well as biological and chemical control in a certain combination in the fight against harmful species in order to preserve the natural balance between living things in the ecosystem. In this way, it will be possible to protect and support the beneficial insect and mite fauna in the fight and control of harmful insects. For this purpose, the study was carried out weekly in two vineyards of 10 decares each between 2021-2022 years to check beneficial insect and mite species in the vine yard areas in Hürriyet and Yazgı neighborhoods of Hazro District of Diyarbakır Province. In this study, prey species were collected using the sweep net, Japanese umbrella, as well as the visual inspection method. The study yielded findings on Coccinella septempunctata (Linnaeus), which belongs to the Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) family, as well as Hyperaspis quadrimaculata (Redtenbacher), Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), and Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens), all of which belong to the Chrysopidae (Neuroptera) and Macaroeris nidicolens (Walckenaer, andTh), belonging to the Salticidae (Araneae) family. A total of 6 predator species, including Xysticus sp. belonging to the (Araneae) family, needs to be clarified.

Conventional Versus Biorational Insecticides for Controlling Mustard Aphid and Their Effects on Beneficial Insects

Mustard is one of the most important oilseed crops in Bangladesh. However, its production is severely constrained by aphid infestation. Farmers usually spray conventional insecticides to control aphids that negatively affect beneficial insects and environment. Thus, alternatives to conventional insecticides are required. We tested three biorational insecticides (Nimbicidine @ 1ml/L, Spinosad: Libsen 45SC @ 0.5 ml/L and Lufenuron: Hayron 5EC @ 0.5ml/L of water) against aphid infestation and assessed their effect on ladybird beetle and honey bee and compared these effects with two conventional insecticides (Diazinon: Sabion 60EC @ 2ml/L and Cypermethrin: Cypraplus 10EC @ 1ml/L of water) and with an untreated control. The study was conducted in a randomized complete block design with each treatment replicated thrice in the field of Department of Entomology, Bangladesh Agricultural University. Number of infested plants per plot, aphid per plant and per pod, number of ladybird beetle and honey bee per plot was counted and yield per plot was calculated. All tested insecticides reduced aphid infestation compared to untreated control indicating all of them were effective against aphid. However, Lufenuron and Nimbicidine was most effective to reduce plant infestation and number of aphids per plant and pod. Spinosad and Sabion were found fairly effective whereas Cypraplus was found to be least effective. Lufenuron and Nimbicidine did not reduce the number of ladybird beetle and honey bee visit per plot, however, Spinosad and conventional insecticides reduced their number. Lufenuron treated plots provided highest yield (1.35 t/ha) followed by Nimbicidine (1.15 t/ha), Spinosad (1.10 t/ha) and Sabion (1.00 t/ha) whereas Cypraplus treated plots provided lowest yield (0.9 t/ha). In terms of reducing aphid population thus plant infestation and increasing yield, all biorational insecticides performed better than conventional insecticides, however, concerning effect on ladybirds and honey bees, only Lufenuron and Nimbicidine can be recommended to farmers. J Bangladesh Agril Univ 22(3): 335-341, 2024

Variations of pest and disease attacks on horticultural and non-horticultural crops in South Sumatra

Horticultural crops of olericultural types that were given a lot of chemical pesticides cause many negative impacts such as the emergence of pests and pathogens that were immune to pesticides, the emergence of new pests, increased pest populations and secondary pathogens, reduced populations of beneficial insects (predators). The study aimed to consider the use of pesticides by farmers to eradicate pests and diseases in horticulture and non-horticulture in South Sumatra. The research was conducted in South Sumatra Province. The research was conducted in 7 districts and 1 city, namely Indralaya District, North Indralaya District, Air Kumbang District, South Pemulutan District, Gelumbang District, Belitang Mulya District, Tanjung Batu District, and Palembang City, which was conducted from May to September 2022. Data were collected using the Secondary Variables method with Purposive sampling technique and processed into analyzed data. The results of this study showed that the most horticulture cultivated by farmers was eggplant(Solanum melongena L.). While for non-horticulture the most widely cultivated by farmers was corn(Zea mays). The percentage of pest attacks on non-horticultural land was 57.36%, the percentage of pest attacks on horticultural land was 68.28%. Variations in pest and disease attacks that occur in 180 farms on horticultural and non-horticultural crops in South Sumatra. Horticultural crops that are widely cultivated in South Sumatra include cucumber, long beans, and eggplant. Meanwhile, non-horticultural crops are corn, rice, and rubber. Spodoptera frugiperda was a pest that has been found to damage corn crops and Leptocorisa sp species that damage food crops (No Horticulture). Counseling was provided to farmers to find out the types of pests that could attack and the symptoms and diseases in plants to know how to control them.

Evaluating potential phytotoxicity of erythritol solution, a novel control method for Drosophila suzukii, in blueberry, cherry, and wild Himalayan blackberry

Drosophila suzukii, commonly referred to as spotted-wing drosophila, is a recent pest of small and stone fruits across the United States. While its control is commonly achieved through broad-spectrum pesticides, these chemicals are often harmful to beneficial insects. A new candidate for control is erythritol, a non-nutritive sugar alcohol with insecticidal properties. Erythritol solutions with a sucrose (E:S) or sucralose (E:Sul) phagostimulant reduce larval infestation and deter oviposition when applied to fruits pre-harvest, but lead to spotting and other damage to sprayed plant leaves. Our objectives were to determine the extent and physiological impacts of the damage in several plant systems and assess the role of individual components in potential phytotoxicity. In the first year, bulk or lab-grade erythritol were combined with a sucrose or sucralose phagostimulant to evaluate the effects of the solutions and a water control on visible damage, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll fluorescence, relative water content, and osmolality in blueberry, cherry, and blackberry leaves. When bulk erythritol did not have discernible impacts, second year trials evaluated solutions of lab-grade erythritol with a phagostimulant and solutions of individual chemicals on leaf damage and physiological factors. Solutions of E:S and E:Sul caused the greatest visible damage, but damage was highly variable between years, treatments, and plant systems. There were no consistent plant physiological effects associated with any formulation. These results suggest that while visible leaf damage may be a dose-dependent effect of erythritol solutions, the lack of associated physiological impacts make it a viable candidate for further testing.

Plant Virus Impacts on Yield and Plant-Pollinator Interactions Are Phylogenetically Modulated Independently of Domestication in Cucurbita spp.

Plant defenses are conserved among closely related species, but domestication can alter host genotypes through artificial selection with potential losses in host defenses. Therefore, both domestication and host phylogenetic structure may influence plant virus infection outcomes. Here, we examined the association of phylogeny and domestication with the fitness of infected plants. We inoculated three pairs of domesticated and wild/noncultivated squash (Cucurbita spp.) with a combination of two viruses commonly found to coinfect cucurbits, zucchini yellow mosaic virus and squash mosaic virus, and recorded fitness traits related to flowers, pollination, fruit, and seed viability in the field over 2 separate years. In an additional field experiment, we recorded the relative abundance of both viruses via RT-qPCR. We found a gradient of susceptibility across the six tested lineages, and phylogenetic structure, but not domestication, contributed to differences in infection outcomes and impacts on several fitness traits, including fruit number, fruit weight, and germination. Plant virus infection also impacted the quantity and quality of floral rewards and visitation rates of specialist bee pollinators. There were no detectable differences in viral load between the six host taxa for either virus individually or the ratio of zucchini yellow mosaic virus to squash mosaic virus. Our results highlight the importance of phylogenetic structure in predicting host susceptibility to disease across wild and domesticated plants and the ability of several hosts to maintain fitness in the field despite infection. Broader consequences of plant pathogens for beneficial insects, such as pollinators, should also be considered in future research.

Influence of Insecticide Application on Pollinators and Predatory Arthropods in Watermelon Agroecosystem

This study, conducted from January to April 2021 in Kandavara village, Karnataka, examined the effects of various insecticides on honeybees, spiders, and coccinellids in watermelon crops. Using a randomized complete block design, watermelon plants were treated with insecticides when pest populations reached economic thresholds. Honeybee foraging activity and populations of spiders and coccinellids were monitored before treatment and at 3,7 and 10 days post-application. Results showed that untreated control plots consistently had the highest activity of all beneficial insects. Among the insecticides tested, Spinosad 45 SC was the least harmful, with relatively higher levels of honeybee and natural enemy activity. In contrast, Imidacloprid 17.8 SL and Acephate 75 SP were the most detrimental, resulting in significantly lower activity levels for honeybees, spiders, and coccinellids. These findings highlight the importance of selecting insecticides that minimize harm to beneficial insects, emphasizing the need for integrated pest management practices that balance effective pest control with the preservation of essential ecosystem services.

Chromosome-level genome assembly of the medicinal insect Blaps rhynchopetera using Nanopore and Hi-C technologies.

The Blaps rhynchopetera Fairmaire is a significant medicinal resource in southwestern China. We utilized Nanopore and Hi-C technologies in combination to generate a high-quality, chromosome-level assembly of the B. rhynchopetera genome and described its genetic features. Genome surveys revealed that B. rhynchopetera is a highly heterozygous species. The assembled genome was 379.24Mb in size, of which 96.03% was assigned to 20 pseudochromosomes. A total of 212.93Mb of repeat sequences were annotated and 26,824 protein-coding genes and 837 non-coding RNAs were identified. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the divergence of the ancestors of B. rhynchopetera and its closely related species Tenebrio molitor at about 85.6 mya. The co-linearity analysis showed that some chromosomes of B. rhynchopetera may have happen fission events and it has a good synteny relationship with Tribolium castaneum. Furthermore, in the enrichment analyses, the gene families related to detoxification and immunity of B. rhynchopetera facilitated the understanding its environmental adaptations, which will serve as a valuable research resource for pest control strategies and conservation efforts of beneficial insects. This high-quality reference genome will also contribute to the conservation of insect species diversity and genetic resources.

The humic acids influence on the quantity and quality of table grape varieties under the Absheron peninsula conditions

Humates are widely used in viticulture, including ecological viticulture. Humic stuffs benefit the qualitative and quantitative indicators of the grape harvest and can reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. This article presents the results of tests on the foliar application of various doses of the “Rostok” fertilizer in the conditions of the Absheron zone of Azerbaijan on local varieties of table grapes – traditional Tabrizi and a selection variety of Scientific Research Institute of Viticulture and Wine-making Ganjavi, grown in the Ampelographic collection of the institute, located on the Absheron peninsula. Fertilizer was applied in three doses – 0.5; 1.0 and 1.5 liter per hectar. Under the influence of the fertilizer, such elements of yield as the vigor of shoot growth, the number of opened buds, fruitful shoots, the number of berries in a bunch, the weight of a bunch, as well as the sugar content of berry juice increased. Fertilizer application had a positive effect on eliminating signs of leaf chlorosis. No toxic effect on the vegetative organs of the grape plant, on its development, or on the beneficial insect fauna of the vineyard was noted. Based on the data obtained, as well as calculations of economic efficiency, a four-fold application of fertilizer (twice before flowering, once after, once during veraison) at the rate of 1 liter per hectare was recommended for widespread use in wine-growing farms.

Seasonal variations of insect abundance: Correlating growth stage-specific metrics with weather patterns in Rangpur Region, Bangladesh

The disclosure of insect occurrences correlating with meteorological data is pivotal in devising effective management strategies for rice fields. The study collected data on harmful and beneficial insects, along with meteorological variables, for three consecutive rice-growing seasons in 2021 and 2022. Month-wise insect distribution were delineated, with prominent species such as green leafhopper, brown planthopper, white-backed planthopper, rice whorl maggot, damselfly, parasitic wasps and green mirid bug observed consistently. Notably, most of the harmful insects were predominantly present during March–July and September–October. The spatial distribution, further segmented based on the rice-growing seasons, revealing the Aus season's preeminence in hosting harmful insects followed by Aman and Boro. The prevalence of most of the harmful insects were in tillering stage. Beneficial insects, displayed their dominance during specific months, growth stage, emphasizing their potential role in controlling harmful species and their prevalence were increased by increased of harmful insects. Furthermore, the study elucidated the correlation between climatic factors and insect abundance, emphasizing the role of temperature, rainfall and relative humidity. Temperature metrics and relative humidity manifested significant associations with several insects both harmful and beneficial species differently. While rainfall notably correlated with rice bug, short-horned grasshoppers, yellow stem borer, and non-significant association with other insects. The study underscored mutual dependencies between predator and prey species, emphasizing the ecological balance within the agricultural ecosystem. This comprehensive analysis indicated the need for integrated pest management strategies, considering both harmful and beneficial insect dynamics, to promote sustainable practices for optimizing rice production in changing climatic scenarios.

Harnessing immune priming: A double‐edged defence mechanism in insects

AbstractInsects are known to dominate adverse ecological conditions due to their diverse adaptations and resilient biological traits, with their immune systems playing a crucial role in this dominance. Traditionally, insects were thought to lack adaptive immune responses due to their inability to produce antibodies and transfer immunity across generations. However, recent research using insects as model organisms has challenged this notion, revealing that prior exposure to sublethal doses of pathogens or pathogen‐derived materials can protect against subsequent lethal exposures—a phenomenon known as ‘immune priming’. Evidence of bacterial, fungal and viral immune priming across different insect species highlights various types of priming, including trans‐stadial (across life stages) and trans‐generational (across generations) priming. Despite differing views on immune priming, its potential applications in agriculture are considerable, especially in biological control, the utilization of beneficial insects and sustainable pest management. This review explores the intricate dynamics of immune priming in insects, comparing it to vertebrate immunity and investigates its mechanisms, potential agricultural applications and future prospects.

Impact of a worker bee thoracic ganglion RIC-3 variant on the actions of acetylcholine and neonicotinoids on nicotinic receptors in Apis mellifera.

A transmembrane thioredoxin (TMX3) enables the functional expression of insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in Xenopus laevis oocytes, while co-factors RIC-3 and UNC-50 regulate the receptor expression level. RIC-3 (resistant to inhibitors of cholinesterase 3) has been shown to diversify by its differential mRNA splicing patterns. How such diversity influences neonicotinoid sensitivity of nAChRs of beneficial insect species remains poorly understood. We have identified a RIC-3 variant expressed most abundantly in the thoracic ganglia of honeybee (Apis mellifera) workers and investigated its effects on the functional expression and pharmacology of Amα1/Amα8/Amβ1 and Amα1/Amα2/Amα8/Amβ1 nAChRs expressed in X. laevis oocytes. The AmRIC-3 enhanced the response amplitude to the acetylcholine (ACh) of these A. mellifera nAChRs when its cRNAwas injected into oocytes at low concentrations but suppressed the ACh response amplitude at high concentrations. Co-expression of the AmRIC-3 had a minimal impact on the affinity of ACh, but changed the efficacy of imidacloprid and clothianidin, suggesting that the presence and the level of RIC-3 expression can affect the nAChR responses to ACh and neonicotinoids, depending on nAChR subunit composition in honeybees. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Composition of Parasitoid Wasps in Insect Pests of Rice (Rice Leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis Medinalis Guenée)

Biological control is one aspect of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The method focusses on natural enemies; beneficial insects are applied for biological control of agricultural insect pests and also provide an environmentally friendly approach. For the rice pests including Rice Leaf Folder (RLF), several parasitoids tend to be natural enemies that could be used to control the pest from the egg stage to pupa. This study was conducted with two varieties of rice, namely “Sen Kra Oub” and “Sro Ngea” at Battambang Province of Cambodia. Parasitoid wasps were collected from egg to pupa stages of RLF and rice yellow stem borer by rearing method, and stored in 70% of alcohol solution before sending for identification in Vietnam’s Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (IEBR) Laboratory. The outcomes revealed that five hymenopteran parasitic wasps of three different families were found, viz. Apanteles cypris Nixon, Bracon onukii Watanabe and Pentatermus striatus (Szepligeti) (Braconidae), Xanthopimla flavolineata Cameron (Ichneumonidae), and Telenomus rowani Gahan (Scelionidae) and being the primary parasitoids of rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenee; stemborer Scirpophaga incertulas Walker (Pyralidae) and black branded swift Pelopidas mathias (Hesperiidae). Parasitism was not found at the vegetative phase with Sen Kra Ob varieties but in reproductive phase. parasitism proportion was 16.66% and 28.57% to 50% in ripening phase, different from Sro Ngea variety where a proportion was found in vegetative phase 27.27%, reproductive phase at 28.57% to 40% and 28.57% to 43% in ripening phase. All the hymenopteran parasitoids were initially recorded in Cambodia, whereby all the parasitoids were potential agents for biological control for important rice insect pests. The outcome of this research suggests that the Government should invest more in the research and development for biological control in Cambodia.