Insect Diversity Research Articles

Exploring the Pollinator Community: Diversity and Abundance of Flower-Visiting Insects on Cowpea in Bilone, Obala, Cameroon

Aims: Investigations in cowpea fields allowed the characterization of the community structure of flower-visiting insects. Study Design: Seeds were sown in 15 plots (6x5.5 m each). Place and Duration of Study: Campus of Obala Higher Institute of Agriculture and Management (OHIAM), Bilone agroecological farm (Obala-Cameroon), from May to June 2016 and 2017. Methodology: Insects were identified in-situ or captured and stored in papillotes (Lepidoptera adults) or labelled vials containing 70° ethanol (other insects). Abundances allowed the determination of 11 alpha diversity indices. Beta diversity was tested using Bray-Curtis dissimilarity index and the correlation between species occurrences. Results: A total of 929 specimens belonged to five orders, 10 families, 13 species were recorded. Hymenoptera was the most family-rich and abundant (four families, 94.3% of the collection) followed by Diptera and Lepidoptera (two families each). Neuroptera and Orthoptera (one family each). Apidae was the most species-rich and abundant (three species; 72.9%), then Formicidae (one, 10.1%), Megachilidae (two; 9.8%). Apis mellifera (Apidae) was the most abundant (35.5%), then Xylocopa olivacea (Apidae) (22.3%), Amegilla calens (Apidae) (15.1%), Myrmicaria opaciventris (Formicidae) (10.1%), and Megachile (Chalicodoma) cincta (Megachilidae) (8.2%). The afrotropical useful predator Ascalaphus africanus (Ascalapidae) and the phytophagous pest Pteropera carnapi (Acrididae) were recorded. Exotic myasigenic species Calliphora vicina (Calliphoridae) and Musca domestica (Muscidae) were recorded. Acrididae, Nymphalidae and Pieridae cumulatively represented 3.1% pest species in the collection. Assemblages showed low species richness, high species diversity, and highly even community. Numbers of simply abundant species were close to that co-dominants. A negative correlation was noted between Acraea acerata (Nymphalidae) and Apis mellifera adansonii (Apidae), Ap. mellifera and Calliphora vicina (Calliphoridae), Ap. mellifera and Synagris conuta (Vespidae). Several positive correlations were recorded. Conclusion: In Bilone, results highlighted the importance of flower-visiting insects for the cowpea pollination and crop yield. Species were moderately abundant and assemblages functioned on the base of niche partitioning nomocenosis (log-linear model) of more or less disturbed environments with strong competition between pioneer species for the available resources.

Ecological patterns of plant-pollinator interactions in the Palouse Prairie.

Insect pollinators are essential for natural ecosystems. Without pollination, native plants are less likely to be able to persist. As natural ecosystems have become more fragmented and degraded, interest in their restoration and preservation has increased. Understanding the roles that individual plant and pollinator species play in an ecosystem can assist with these tasks. One way to examine the ecological drivers for patterns of pollination is through module analysis. The Palouse Prairie is a fragmented native prairie that supports high plant and insect diversity and has experienced severe habitat loss. Bees were collected on native plants in prairie fragments in 2022 and 2023 to construct a plant-pollinator network. From this network, modules were computed and analyzed. This network contained 10 modules representing multiple different ecological patterns, including modules grouped by morphological, taxonomic, and phenological similarities. These modules also identified plant-pollinator pairs with specialized relationships. The network was then analyzed to identify plant and insect members that play structural roles in the network. Understanding the patterns of interactions represented in the modules and the network structure may allow for better conservation and restoration of this imperiled ecosystem.

A multi-levels analysis to evaluate the toxicity of microplastics on aquatic insects: a case study with damselfly larvae (Ischnura elegans)

Microplastic (MP) pollution prevalent in freshwater environments and jeopardizes the organisms living there. Dozens of studies have been conducted to investigate the harmful effects of microplastics on organisms. However, the most diverse and sensitive aquatic insects are often overlooked, also there is a lack of a comprehensive research exploring the toxicity of microplastics. Here, taking the damselfly larvae (Ischnura elegans) as the subject, we investigated the effects of different concentration levels of polystyrene microplastics (PS MPs) on their physiological characters, behavioristics, metabolomics and transcriptomics, as well as gut microbiome. The results showed that the PS MPs had no significant effects on the body weight and survival rate, but led to behavioral inhibition. Furthermore, expression levels of some metabolites altered, such as nicotinic acid, fumaric acid, and stearic acid. Meanwhile, the pathways related to oxidative phosphorylation and carbon metabolism were upregulated at the transcriptomic level. Moreover, there was a modification of the gut microbial community, with an increase in species richness but a shift towards potentially harmful bacteria. Our findings suggested that exposure to PS MPs affected the overall health of damselfly larvae. Therefore, effective management of MPs to minimize their environmental input is crucial in reducing health risks to aquatic organisms.

Metabolic enhancement contributed by horizontal gene transfer is essential for dietary specialization in leaf beetles

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from bacteria to insects is widely reported and often associated with the adaptation and diversification of insects. However, compelling evidence demonstrating how HGT-conferred metabolic adjustments enable species to adapt to surrounding environment remains scarce. Dietary specialization is an important ecological strategy adopted by animals to reduce inter- and intraspecific competition for limited resources. Adults of the leaf beetle Plagiodera versicolora (Coleoptera) preferentially consume new leaves; nevertheless, we found that they selectively oviposit on mature leaves, thereby establishing a distinct dietary niche separation between adults and larvae. Based on the de novo assembled chromosome-level genome, we identified two horizontally transferred genes with cellulose degradation potential, belonging to the glycosyl hydrolase 48 family (GH48-1 and GH48-2). Prokaryotic expression of the HGTs confirmed the cellulose degradation capability of the two genes. Knockdown of GH48 significantly hampered the growth and survival rate of larvae feeding on mature leaves compared to wild-type larvae, with no similar effect observed in adults. Replenishing the GH48-expressing bacteria compensated for the knockdown of these two genes and recurred larval adaptability to mature leaves. Taken together, our results highlight the advantage and metabolic enhancement conferred by the two cellulose-degrading HGTs in P. versicolora larvae, enabling their development on cellulose-enriched mature leaves and underscoring the indispensable role of HGTs in facilitating the adaptation of leaf beetles to plants.

Catalogue of Insect Bio-Diversity in High Density Guava after Trash Mulching

Trash mulching in crops increases yield and conserve the insect biodiversity. An experiment on mulching with leaf litters was conducted in high density guava with an idea of conserving. The results showed more insect diversity in mulched than non-mulched trees. The insect species catalogued in the study were 9 herbivores and 24 natural enemies. A total of 33 insect species were thus catalogued. A new white grub species was first time documented in HDP guava from Tamil Nadu. The Shannon Index of the insect herbivores were 1.21 and 1.24 in mulched and non-mulched plot, respectively. The Simpson index of the insect herbivores was 0.64 and 0.65 in mulched and non-mulched plots, respectively. Higher species diversity of the insect predators was achieved with the shannon Index (0.23) and Simpson’s Index (0.04) in mulched trees. A total of 12 number of Trichogramma sp, wer also recorded. From the mealybug Paracoccus marginatus, parasitoids such as Acerophagus papayae, Pseudleptomastix mexicana , Prochiloneurus pulchellus and Allotropa sp. were recorded.

First report of Acutaspis oliveirai (Lepage & Giannotti, 1942) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) in Central Brazil: occurrence on Myrsine guianensis (Aubl.) Kuntze (Primulaceae) in the Brazilian Cerrado

Recent research shows that the Cerrado has a great diversity of scale insects (Insecta: Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) in association with native plants. This work aimed to report the occurrence of Acutaspis oliveirai (Lepage & Giannotti, 1942) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) found for the first time in Central Brazil and in plants of Myrsine guianensis (Primulaceae), a common species in the Brazilian Cerrado, that has potential for use in landscaping and the recovery of degraded areas. This is the first report of the occurrence of A. oliveirai in a native plant of the Cerrado biome and in the Central Brazil. Acutaspis oliveirai individuals were found on the leaf surface of M. guianensis leaves in two locations in the Federal District, Brazil, causing irregular yellowing and chlorotic spots throughout the leaf blade.

Draft annotated genome of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium pingshaense isolated from Spodoptera species.

The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium pingshaense infects diverse insect host species. We present an annotated draft genome of M. pingshaense (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation [CSIRO] strain M-1000) isolated from a Spodoptera species individual, thereby contributing to future research of M. pingshaense as a potential biological control agent.

Temporal ecological processes have different seasonal influences on multiple dimensions of riverine insect diversity in China

Abstract An understanding of the relative importance of ecological processes affecting biological communities can assist in interpretations of biodiversity patterns. However, the mechanism behind temporal beta diversity, which refers to the dissimilarity between community structures at different times, remains unclear for aquatic insect communities. Therefore, we collected monthly samples of aquatic insects at five sites in streams from July 2011 to June 2012 in Central China. The five sample sites were located in river sections with perennially flowing water, which were subject to little human disturbance. We examined taxonomic‐ and trait‐based temporal beta diversity patterns of riverine insects across seasons in sites. Taxonomic‐ and trait‐based temporal beta diversity demonstrated a decline with species richness but an increase with the time between sampling dates. Taxonomic‐based temporal beta diversity was significantly higher than trait‐based temporal beta diversity. Turnover (i.e. species replacement) was the main driver of taxonomic‐based temporal beta diversity whereas nestedness (i.e. species gain or loss) contributed more to trait‐based temporal beta‐diversity values. In addition, the correlation between taxonomic‐ and trait‐based temporal beta diversity was weak. Deterministic processes (i.e. operating through physico‐chemical factors and climate) and stochastic processes (i.e. operating through temporal variables) are distinct, but they can act together in influencing the temporal beta diversity of riverine insects. Taxonomic‐based temporal beta diversity was more sensitive to environmental changes than trait‐based temporal beta diversity, and taxonomic shift do not necessarily result in trait changes. The main driver of taxonomic‐based temporal beta diversity changed with the location and components analysed. In contrast, stochastic processes were the most dominant influence on trait‐based temporal beta diversity. Results suggest that taxonomic‐ and trait‐based conservation measures should consider both turnover and nestedness patterns in the protection of riverine insects in China and elsewhere. Additionally, the development of integrated monitoring and management protocols that apply across seasons and life stages should be considered.

Forensic Entomology in Jeddah: Molecular Identification of Emerging Insect Strains

Background: The precise identification of forensic insects is one of the most important aspects in forensic entomology since it is the basis for determining post-mortem intervals (PMI) and providing other valuable forensic evidence in criminal investigations. Methods: This study demonstrates the utility of DNA barcoding in accurately identifying new strains of forensic insects collected from the Jeddah Governorate. Result: High similarity percentages ranging from 98.74% to 99.68% were observed, underscoring the precision of molecular identification. The identified species included members of the Diptera (flies) and Coleoptera (beetles) orders, commonly associated with forensic cases. Notably, Phoridae sp. (Forensic_JED_21) was identified with 98.74% similarity, highlighting their role in providing valuable post-mortem interval (PMI) estimations. Physiphora alceae was identified twice (Forensic_JED_22 and Forensic_JED_24) with similarities of 99.22% and 99.07%, respectively, demonstrating the robustness of DNA barcoding. Philonthus discoideus (Forensic_JED_23) and Physiphora demandata (Forensic_JED_25) were identified with 99.68% similarity, confirming the presence of these species in the Jeddah region. Phylogenetic analysis using MEGA11 placed these strains in well-defined clades, confirming their taxonomic accuracy and evolutionary relationships. These findings align with previous research on the genetic diversity of forensic insects, adding crucial data to forensic entomology databases. This study enhances the forensic entomology framework by providing accurate species identification, essential for legal investigationsand supports the development of region-specific forensic tools through the addition of new genetic data from Jeddah.

The Effect of Cropping Systems on the Dispersal of Mycotoxigenic Fungi by Insects in Pre-Harvest Maize in Kenya.

Maize productivity has remained low and has worsened in the wake of a changing climate, resulting in new invasive pests, with pests that were earlier designated as minor becoming major and with pathogens being transported by pests and/or entering their feeding sites. A study was conducted in 2021 in the Kisumu and Makueni counties, Kenya, to determine how different maize cropping systems affect insect diversity, insect damage to maize, and insects' ability to spread mycotoxigenic fungi in pre-harvest maize. The field experiments used a randomized complete block design, with the four treatments being maize monocrop, maize intercropped with beans, maize-bean intercrop with the addition of Trichoderma harzianum at planting, and push-pull technology. The FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), was the most damaging pest in the two regions. The push-pull and the maize-bean intercropping technologies significantly reduced the maize foliage and ear damage caused by the FAW. Beetles passively spread mycotoxigenic Aspergillus spp. and Fusarium verticillioides on pre-harvest maize. Maize weevils, namely, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, 1855 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), and Carpophilus dimidiatus Fabricius, 1792 (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), earwigs, namely, Forficula spp. L. (Dermaptera: Forficulidae), and carpenter ants, namely, Camponotus spp. L. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) carried the highest number of spores on their exoskeletons. This study stresses the role of insects in the spread of fungi on pre-harvest maize and their possible control by intercropping and other cropping technologies.

Preliminary new study indicates possible dramatic decline in the diversity of insects visiting flowers of Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) in Kings Park over 26 Years

The recent decline of terrestrial insects in many parts of the world is of growing concern due to the fundamental ecosystem services they perform. Pollination is a vital ecosystem service predominantly performed by insects, with inestimable environmental and economic benefits. Accurate assessment and management of insect pollinator declines, and of other ecosystem impacts are hindered by a lack of long-term monitoring data and notably an absence of Southern Hemisphere studies. This preliminary study aims to address some of these gaps by determining if the diversity of insect floral visitors and potential pollinators of the canopy tree species Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) within Kings Park may have changed over 26 years by replicating the methods employed by previous research (undertaken by Yates et al. in 2005). Additionally, this study aims to determine if the relative abundance of the introduced European honeybee (Apis mellifera) compared to native bees visiting Jarrah flowers may have also changed. We observed insect visitors to flowers at three trees across the morning, midday, and evening over three consecutive days in mid-December 2023 (peak flowering). A total of 3023 individual observations were made, recording insects of 7 orders, 25 families, 39 genera, and 45 species. We found that abundances were comparable to 26 years ago but found a substantial shift in the composition of insect visitors with 46% less species documented and only 25% of species reoccurring. Ten additional families were observed that were not documented 26 years ago, with most visitors capable of performing pollination to varying efficacies. Ants had replaced the European honeybee as the most common visitor to Jarrah flowers, and while the relative abundance of honeybees was still significantly greater than native bees, the proportion of honeybee visitors had declined, at least at the time of our study. The documented shift in the composition of Jarrah insect pollinators should be confirmed by more replicated studies in Kings Park, and highlights the importance of long-term monitoring, and the need for further avenues of urban pollination research to accurately assess and address any widespread decline of insects. This is important for protecting the pollination services that insect pollinators provide at local and global scales.

A cross‐taxon study in Thailand demonstrates significance of vertical stratification and seasonality in monitoring tropical forest insects

AbstractIn tropical rainforests, trees and associated plants create vertically heterogeneous habitats mediated by seasonal changes in climate and plant phenology. Despite extensive studies on the spatiotemporal dynamics of tropical forest ecosystems, insect monitoring programs often neglect the vertical and seasonal dimensions because the relative importance of muti‐dimensional dynamics of insect diversity has not been well understood. In this study, we employed a spatially explicit sampling design to understand the distribution patterns of Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, and two families (Noctuidae and Nolidae) of Lepidoptera in the canopy and understory during the dry and wet seasons in two tropical rainforests located at lower and higher latitudes in Thailand. We compared the vertical stratification of gamma diversity, alpha diversity, total abundance, and beta turnover and nestedness. We also identified the insect species characteristic of certain vertical strata and/or seasons. Our samples resulted in a total of 4,452 insects (1,622 coleopterans, 1,763 hymenopterans, and 1,067 lepidopterans) representing 437 Coleoptera species, 694 Hymenoptera species, and 98 Lepidoptera species. All insect groups generally displayed moderately higher diversity in the canopy than in the understory, but the significance of this pattern varied among seasons, forests, and insect groups. Over 50% of significant habitat indicator species were restricted to certain vertical strata but were only found in certain seasons. Our findings demonstrate that spatiotemporal dynamics of insect diversity are highly context‐dependent and are not as clearly discernible as we hypothesized in three major insect groups, suggesting the importance of monitoring insects across vertical strata and seasons, even in low‐latitude tropical rainforests.

Higher bee species richness in conservation areas compared with non‐conservation areas in south‐west Germany

Abstract Insects are declining in both species richness and abundance. Conservation areas are expected to mitigate this diversity loss, as they typically sustain higher species richness across various insect taxa compared with non‐conservation areas. However, there is growing evidence that the rates of decline are similar in both area types. This indicates that the current implementation of protected areas is insufficient for preserving insect diversity. More robust data are needed to identify the primary factors causing this decline. We here analyse bee species recorded by Malaise trapping from 3 years of a rotational survey at 32 sites in south‐west Germany. Sites within state conservation areas of Baden‐Württemberg had higher bee species richness than unprotected sites, as well as a higher conservation value that we calculated based on the threat status of Red List species. Further, there was no difference in flying insect biomass between conservation and non‐conservation sites based on records of 40 sites from 2018 to 2023. We also considered environmental variables, including plant‐associated data derived from vegetation surveys, and the proportion of habitat types within a 500 m radius of the surrounding landscape. Substrate nitrogen levels were significantly higher at non‐conservation sites and negatively impacted bee species richness and site conservation value. Additionally, the richness of insect‐pollinated plant species influenced bee species richness. The continuation of the programme will provide records of local trends in species richness and abundance of different taxa, and help identify factors related to species loss that affect conservation areas.

Effects of land cover and protected areas on flying insect diversity.

Widespread insect losses are a critical global problem. Mitigating this problem requires identifying the principal drivers across different taxa and determining which insects are covered by protected areas. However, doing so is hindered by missing information on most species owing to extremely high insect diversity and difficulties in morphological identification. To address this knowledge gap, we used one of the most comprehensive insect DNA metabarcoding data sets assembled (encompassing 31,846 flying insect species) in which data were collected from a network of 75 Malaise traps distributed across Germany. Collection sites encompass gradients of land cover, weather, and climate, along with differences in site protection status, which allowed us to gain broader insights into how insects respond to these factors. We examined changes in total insect biomass, species richness, temporal turnover, and shifts in the composition of taxa, key functional groups (pollinators, threatened species, and invasive species), and feeding traits. Lower insect biomass generally equated to lower richness of all insects and higher temporal turnover, suggesting that biomass loss translates to biodiversity loss and less stable communities. Spatial variability in insect biomass and composition was primarily driven by land cover, rather than weather or climate change. As vegetation and land-cover heterogeneity increased, insect biomass increased by 50% in 2019 and 56% in 2020 and total species richness by 58% and 33%, respectively. Similarly, areas with low-vegetation habitats exhibited the highest richness of key taxa, including pollinators and threatened species, and the widest variety of feeding traits. However, these habitats tended to be less protected despite their higher diversity. Our results highlight the value of heterogeneous low vegetation for promoting overall insect biomass and diversity and that better protection of insects requires improved protection and management of unforested areas, where many biodiversity hotspots and key taxa occur.

Macro‐evolutionary dynamics dominated by dispersal promote the formation of regional biodiversity hotspot‐insights from hawkmoths (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) in South China

AbstractAimRapid loss in global insect diversity has generated substantial public worry due to their critical ecological roles. However, there is controversy about the effectiveness of the global‐scale hotspots in guiding the conservation of diversity at the regional scale. Even worse, little is known about the knowledge of insect distributional dynamics in many understudied regions, such as East and Southeast Asia. Here, to guide for setting regional‐scale conservation priorities for insect diversity, we explore hawkmoths (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) for their distributional dynamics and identify regional hotspots requiring protection.LocationSouth China (including Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hong Kong and Macau) and northern Vietnam (17°~26.5° N, 102°~117.5° E).MethodsSpecies distribution models were generated for 194 hawkmoth species based on 3597 occurrence records to predict their distributions. We calculated the spatial patterns of taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity and identified regional hotspots. Furthermore, the potential assembly mechanisms underlying insect diversity were explored by analysing the rates of speciation, extinction and dispersal between phyloregions.Results(a) The coastal regions of South China and northern Vietnam represent a regional hotspot of hawkmoths in East and Southeast Asia, with significantly higher α‐diversity than that in inland regions. (b) Dispersal played a more important role than local speciation and extinction in the formation of regional hawkmoth hotspots.Main ConclusionsIn this study, the ‘Out‐of‐the‐tropics model’ can explain the formation of the hawkmoth regional hotspots and the enhanced version of the ‘Pure dispersal model’ can explain the formation of the hotspots in Hainan Island. Compared with the local speciation and extinction, dispersal is the main driving factor that promoted the formation of the regional biodiversity hotspot of hawkmoths in South China. The case of Hainan Island suggests that protection within hotspots needs to account for specific regional macro‐evolutionary dynamics rather than indiscriminate coverage of identified hotspots.

Phylogenetic Diversity of Plant and Insect Communities on Islands.

Interactions between plants and insects have long fascinated scientists. While some plants rely on insects for pollination and seed dispersal, insects rely on plants for food or as a habitat. Despite extensive research investigating pair-wise species interactions, few studies have characterized plant and insect communities simultaneously, making it unclear if diverse plant communities are generally associated with diverse insect communities. This work aims to better understand the historical and evolutionary relationships between plant and insect phylogenetic diversity (PD) on islands. We hypothesized that phylogenetically diverse plant communities (i.e., high PD) support diverse insect communities, with the relationship varying with island isolation, area, age, and latitude. Species lists for plants and insects were compiled from the published literature, and plant PD was calculated using ´standardized mean pairwise distance´ (SES.MPD) and ´standardized mean nearest taxon distance´ (SES.MNTD). For insects, PD was estimated using the number of genera, families, and orders. We found that plant diversity in evolutionary recent times (SES.MNTD) is associated with recent insect diversity (number of genera), but no relationship was found between plant and insect diversity across whole phylogenies (plant SES.MPD vs. number of insect families). Distant islands generally support high PD of plants (high SES.MPD and SES.MNTD) and insects (low number of genera). Plant and insect PD was generally high on small islands, except for plant SES.MPD revealing no relationship with island size. Insect PD was somewhat higher on young islands (low number of families), whereas there was no relationship between island age and plant PD. Plant SES.MPD was higher on high latitude islands, yet we did not find significant relationships between the latitude and the metrics of insect PD or plant SES.MNTD. These findings suggest that protecting high plant PD may also help conserve high insect PD, with a focus on small and distant islands as potential hotspots of phylogenetic diversity across multiple taxa.

The biodiversity of the Eocene Messel Pit

The Messel Pit is a Konservat-Lagerstätte in Germany, representing the deposits of a latest early to earliest middle Eocene maar lake, and one of the first palaeontological sites to be included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One aspect of Messel that makes it so extraordinary is that its sediments are rich in different fossilised organisms – microfossils, plants, fungi, invertebrate animals and vertebrates – that are rarely preserved together. We present an updated list of all taxa, named or not, that have been documented at Messel, comprising 1409 taxa, which represent a smaller but inexactly known number of biological species. The taxonomic list of Labandeira and Dunne (2014) contains serious deficiencies and should not be used uncritically. Furthermore, we compiled specimen lists of all Messel amphibians, reptiles and mammals known to us. In all, our analyses incorporate data from 32 public collections and some 20 private collections. We apply modern biodiversity-theoretic techniques to ascertain how species richness tracks sampling, to estimate what is the minimum asymptotic species richness, and to project how long it will take to sample a given proportion of that minimum richness. Plant and insect diversity is currently less well investigated than vertebrate diversity. Completeness of sampling in aquatic and semiaquatic, followed by volant, vertebrates is higher than in terrestrial vertebrates. Current excavation rates are one-half to two-thirds lower than in the recent past, leading to much higher estimates of the future excavation effort required to sample species richness more completely, should these rates be maintained. Species richness at Messel, which represents a lake within a paratropical forest near the end of the Early Eocene Climate Optimum, was generally higher than in comparable parts of Central Europe today but lower than in present-day Neotropical biotopes. There is no evidence that the Eocene Messel ecosystem was a “tropical rainforest.”

The Field Automatic Insect Recognition-Device-A Non-Lethal Semi-Automatic Malaise Trap for Insect Biodiversity Monitoring: Proof of Concept.

Field monitoring plays a crucial role in understanding insect dynamics within ecosystems. It facilitates pest distribution assessment, control measure evaluation, and prediction of pest outbreaks. Additionally, it provides important information on bioindicators with which the state of biodiversity and ecological integrity in specific habitats and ecosystems can be accurately assessed. However, traditional monitoring systems face various difficulties, leading to a limited temporal and spatial resolution of the obtained information. Despite recent advancements in automatic insect monitoring traps, also called e-traps, most of these systems focus exclusively on studying agricultural pests, rendering them unsuitable for monitoring diverse insect populations. To address this issue, we introduce the Field Automatic Insect Recognition (FAIR)-Device, a novel nonlethal field tool that relies on semi-automatic image capture and species identification using artificial intelligence via the iNaturalist platform. Our objective was to develop an automatic, cost-effective, and nonspecific monitoring solution capable of providing high-resolution data for assessing insect diversity. During a 26-day proof-of-concept evaluation, the FAIR-Device recorded 24.8 GB of video, identifying 431 individuals from 9 orders, 50 families, and 69 genera. While improvements are possible, our device demonstrated its potential as a cost-effective, nonlethal tool for monitoring insect biodiversity. Looking ahead, we envision new monitoring systems such as e-traps as valuable tools for real-time insect monitoring, offering unprecedented insights for ecological research and agricultural practices.

Biodiverse Management of Perennial Flower Margins in Farmland: Meandering Mowing by 'Three-Strip Management' to Boost Pollinators and Beneficial Insects.

Agricultural intensification has led to significant declines in beneficial insect populations, such as pollinators and natural enemies, along with their ecosystem services. The installation of perennial flower margins in farmland is a popular agri-environmental scheme to mitigate these losses, promoting biodiversity, pollination, and pest control. However, outcomes can vary widely, and recent insights into flower margins in an agricultural context suggest that management could be an important contributor to this variation. This study evaluated two mowing management regimes: the new "three-strip management" method with uneven, curved mowing lines and regular phased mowing as a control method. During the third year of application, we evaluated the effects on the alpha diversity indices of pollinators and natural enemies, as well as plant-pollinator visitation networks. Curved three-strip management significantly increased the abundance of all pollinator groups (+44%) and natural enemies (+50%), and the taxonomic richness and diversity of pollinators, especially for rarer solitary bees. Floral diversity was also higher, with more unique plants blooming in early spring and late summer, generating more unique plant-pollinator interactions (+54%) and a positive impact on multiple network-level properties. Our findings provide new evidence that nature-based management methods can be a win-win solution, creating high-quality habitats that enhance the insect diversity of various groups, support associated ecosystem services, and help restore overall farmland biodiversity.

Parasitism Affects Entomofauna Dynamics in Infected and Uninfected Plants: A Case Study of Orobanche anatolica Parasitizing Salvia absconditiflora.

Salvia absconditiflora and Orobanche anatolica exhibit a parasitic relationship. S. absconditiflora serves as a rich food resource for insects due to its abundant nectar. O. anatolica demonstrates host specificity towards S. absconditiflora. The objective of this study is to assess potential variations in entomofauna dynamics and nectar chemistry attributable to parasitism. The observational groups consisted of S. absconditiflora individuals infected and uninfected by O. anatolica, as well as O. anatolica individuals. Entomofauna was monitored during the flowering periods of target species. The collected data were analyzed using biodiversity indexes. The nectar of the plant groups was evaluated with LC-QTOF-MS analysis to identify possible repellents for insects. S. absconditiflora plants free from infection had significantly higher insect diversity and abundance compared to those infected by O. anatolica. Parasitism by O. anatolica appeared to modify the entomofauna dynamics of S. absconditiflora, as demonstrated by the disparities in insect diversity metrics between infected and uninfected plants. When comparing the nectars of the plant groups, it was determined that the nectar from the parasitic plant and the infected S. absconditiflora contained substances with repellent properties in higher quantities than that of uninfected S. absconditiflora, including thymol, n-benzyloleamide, azadirachtin, capsaicin, azatadine maleate, and andrachcinidine. This study concluded that parasitism could lead to differences in entomofauna associated with these species.