Entomological Methods Research Articles

Water Quality Assessment with Biotic Index Based on Abundance and Diversity of Aquatic Insects in a Hilly Stream, Bangladesh

Study of stream insect fauna provide valuable insights into aspects of the stream channel ecosystem. The present study was conducted to investigate the aquatic stream living insect community, abundance and diversity in a hilly stream, Balukhali chora of Chittagong University campus to determine the water quality. The insects were collected with bottom dredge net from the edge and benthic regions of the Riffle zone and the Pool zone of the stream from January 2018 to December 2018. Insects were sampled using standard entomological method and determined their tolerance value. A total of 2535 insects were recorded, belonging to six insect orders, 30 families and 45 genera. The abundance ratio was higher in all the months in the Pool zone excepting the months of April, May, June and October. The orders Ephemeroptera, Odonata and Diptera were abundant in the Pool zone, while Hemiptera, Coleoptera and Lepidoptera were abundant in the Riffle zone. On the basis of Biotic Index, the most dominating orders Odonata and Hemiptera indicated good water quality, though the dipteran genus Chironomus spp. indicated poor quality in some of the months. The stream insect community structure of the two zones indicated that the overall water quality of the stream water was very good. Both manmade and natural interruption occurred in the stream channel due to human settlement, agricultural runoff and natural disasters. The study was conducted to know the abundance and diversity of aquatic insect community which indicated the water quality of the stream.

Tuberculosis Pathology of Fraxinus Excelsior L. in Ukraine: Symptomatology, Etiology, Pathogenesis

Given the forestry, the ecological and economic value of forests with the participation of Fraxinus excelsior and taking into account the intensive deterioration of their phytosanitary status in modern conditions, a comprehensive study of symptoms, causes, and pathogenesis of ash tuberculosis with further development of effective protection measures, including using biological products based on Bacillus sp. and other myco- and microorganisms, is a particularly relevant area of research. The aim of the research is to identify negative abiotic and biotic factors in the pathology of F. excelsior. In the process of research general scientific and special research methods were used (microbiological, mycological, phytopathological, entomological, and silvicultural-ecological methods). It is emphasized that the pathology of the common ash is a multifaceted phenomenon with interrelated processes of infectious and non-infectious nature, which in recent years has led to epiphytic dieback and now has a tendency to increase. It has been established that tuberculosis of F. excelsior is the most common and harmful disease within the study region and causes more economic than environmental damage. Bacteria of the genera Pseudomonas sp., Erwinia sp., and Xanthomonas sp., as well as micromycetes, which mainly take the place of the concomitant mycobiota. There are five stages (phases) of the development of tuberculosis pathology, which differ significantly in symptoms. The species composition of harmful insects has been identified. It is shown that hydrothermal stress is a catalyst for the epiphytic dieback of common ash. Direct dependence of the spread of tuberculosis on the share of ash in the stands of different age groups was revealed. In the study area, tuberculosis reaches epiphytotics on F. excelsior, especially at a young age. The expediency of distinguishing the causes and pathological processes associated with ash tuberculosis is indicated, so as not to confuse the disease-catalyzing factors and the factors that lead to the complete degradation of ash stands

Serial estimation of gene expression of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and autophagy gene HMGB1 to determine postmortem interval

The estimation of accurate post mortem interval (PMI) is a crucial question in forensic medicine. Several approaches have been used to determine the PMI including physical, metabolic, autolytic, entomological, physiochemical and biochemical methods over time. For estimation of PMI, RNA degradation after death is reported to be an important tool. This study aimed to analyse the pattern of gene expression by serial estimation of cardiac specific cardiac troponin I (cTnI) gene and autophagy gene HMGB1 for determining PMI at room temperature by using housekeeping gene GAPDH. Right ventricular heart tissue weighing 10 g was collected and harvested from 17 medico-legal autopsies. The tissue was homogenized in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) on ice. Further, homogenate of cardiac tissue was analysed by quantitative Real time polymerase chain reaction (qRtPCR) for gene amplification and gene expression of cTnI, HMGB1 gene and GAPDH, at different time intervals (0,6,12 h) at room temperature. The result revealed ∆Ct value of cTnI gene of the cardiac muscle showing almost equal degradation at equal time interval correlated with PMI within 0–12 h at room temperature, and the ∆Ct value of HMGB1 degraded to half in every subsequent 6-hour interval at room temperature. In conclusion, the estimation of PMI by analysis of serial estimation of gene expression is a decent new tool in forensic medicine. The study shows an equal degradation of cTnI gene at equal time interval and HMGB1 degrades to half at six-hour interval. Therefore, these can be useful for estimation for PMI.

The time of death in Dutch court; using the Daubert criteria to evaluate methods to estimate the PMI used in court.

When a capital crime is committed the post-mortem interval (PMI) is of particular importance in investigating a suspect's alibi in court. A forensic expert can use different methods to estimate the PMI. This research focuses on who is considered an expert in court and whether the methods used to estimate the PMI are reliable. In this study, the methods used to estimate the PMI and the experts consulted, available in Dutch jurisprudence, in the period 2010-2019 were investigated. Ninety-four judicial cases were included and multiple experts and methods of estimating the PMI were found. As part of this study, the methods that were used to estimate the PMI in court were subjected to the Daubert criteria. Of these methods, only the Henssge nomogram and entomological methods met the Daubert criteria. However, the methods are only useful when applied by the right forensic expert and in the right manner. Unfortunately, this was not always the case.

Chronobiological Effect on the Reproductive Behavior of Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae).

The most widely used entomological method of determining the time since death (minimum postmortem interval, mPMI) has been calculating the developmental time of blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) on the deceased body. However, because blow flies are known to be diurnal, nocturnal oviposition has been excluded from standard mPMI calculations. This has been challenged by recent studies demonstrating nocturnal oviposition due to an unknown reason. Therefore, this study investigated the role of chronobiology. We recorded the locomotion amount and pattern of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) under different chronobiological conditions and examined whether Ch. megacephala can oviposit under nighttime conditions in field and laboratory settings. Subjects were found to have a daily activity pattern under normal darkness conditions (12:12 L:D) and under continuous darkness (DD), but they exhibited no pattern under continuous light (LL). Free-running period was approximately 1,341 min/d (22.35 h/d). In the field, no flies were observed during nighttime. Oviposition occurred in the laboratory setting during daytime with no lights and during nighttime with artificial lights. Free-running subjects oviposited in both active and resting periods, with more eggs laid during active than resting periods. The result of this study indicates it is possible to induce oviposition behavior during evening hours on Ch. megacephala. However, this was only observed in the laboratory setting and could only happen during the flies' subjective day.

Evaluation of the « Time/Risk » Probability of being Infected and its Evolution Before/After a Long Term Village Scale Malaria Vector Control Programme in Angola

Three main entomological indicators are classically used in the epidemiology of malaria: the inoculation rate (“h”) of Ross, the vectorial capacity (“C”) of Garrett-Jones and the reproduction rate (“z”) of Macdonald. In spite of their undoubtfully usefulness it appeared that their formulae did not integrate the key parameter of “t” i.e. the time of exposure and therefore the probabilities of being infected according to the entomological condition (density, infectivity, longevity of the vectors) but also the time/risk and the reduction of this risk when some village-scale vector control measures are implemented.
 To deal with this approach we used the Briley’s formula, elaborated some years ago, to analyze the time/risk of being infected in the framework of a long term village scale vector control programme implemented around Balombo (Benguela Province, Angola) with classical method (inside residual spraying) and newly developed tool s (insecticide treated plastic sheeting) used alone or in association with the classical long lasting insecticide treated nets.
 Before vector control the risk was almost 20% in one week, 60% in one month and 100% in 3 months and this explain why plasmodic index are so high in this area without any organized vector control programme.
 The 3 methods actually reduced the risks which become of the order of 2% in one week, 10% in one month, 26% in one trimester but 70% in one year; the three methods had the same efficacy in reducing these risks. The fact that the risk reach 70% in one year even with right vector control shows the needs of renewing regularly the operations, the needs of other than entomological methods of prevention but also that immunity could be maintained and feared “rebound” was not observed even during the long term of the programme.

Quantifing Diversity and Phenology of Cereal Leaf Beetles Oulema Spp. (Chrysomelidae: Criocerinae) in Several Cereal Fields of Semi-Arid Zone, Algeria

The present study treated the taxonomic diversity of the cereal leaf beetle (Oulema spp.) community subservient to several cereal fields (barley, durum wheat and oats) in Eastern Algeria. From April to June, which is the appearance period of these insects, the leaf beetle fauna was weekly sampled using two trapping techniques: entomological net and sight hunting method. Spatiotemporal alpha and beta diversity of this community were evaluated by several ecological indices: Shannon index, Simpson index and equitability. The multivariate statistic test (GLM) was used to assess the variation of the different diversity parameters. Catches totaled 1144 individuals belonging to the genus Oulema and four species: Oulema melanopus, Oulema cyanella, Oulema duftscmidi and Oulema gallaeciana. The highest abundance of the leaf beetles was recorded in oats with 569 individuals (49.73%), followed by barley (390 individuals, 34.09%) and durum wheat (185 individuals, 16.17%), whereas the most speciose field was barley (4 species), followed by oats (3 species) and durum wheat (2 species). The most abundant species was O. melanopus with 746 individuals (65.20% of the total). The spectrum of occurrence ranked constant species first, followed by common and very accidental species. GLMs demonstrated that diversity of cereal leaf beetles Oulema spp is highly related to cereal field type.

Research Progress on Species Identification of Sarcosaprophagous Flies.

Estimation of postmortem interval （PMI） has always been one of the difficult problems for forensic scientists. It is especially hard to estimate the PMI of highly decomposed corpses in the wild or in secluded houses with conventional methods. Therefore, application of insect evidence at the scene is usually required for estimation. Sarcosaprophagous flies of different species have totally different developmental rates. In actual cases, direct measurement of the body length of the larvae, calculation of accumulated temperature and succession stages without species identification, or calculation based on incorrect species identification would often lead to a large deviation between the calculated results and the real PMI. This mistake would also mislead the case investigation. Therefore, accurate species identification should be implemented before any PMI estimation of decomposed corpses with forensic entomological methods. This article reviews the general and ultramicroscopic species identification and molecular biological species identification methods of different stages of sarcosaprophagous flies, in order to provide new ideas and methods for related research and practice, and provide reference for the application and promotion of forensic entomology in the front line of public security.

ГАЖ-технологияларды қолдана отырып зиянды шегірткелердің табын түрлерін биологиялық бақылау

In 2018-2020, domestic and foreign biological insecticides were tested against three species of herd locusts; Dociostaurus maroccanus Thunb., Locusta migratoria migratoria L. and Calliptamus italicus L. Scientific research was carried out in the main regional locust foci in Almaty, Zhambyl, Turkestan and Kyzylorda regions. The spring-autumn examination of locust pods was carried out according to generally accepted methods in entomology. The examined deposits of pods were recorded by a GPS device. Tested drugs: 1) Actarophyte 1% is a complex of natural avermectins, 2) Actarophyte 1.8% is produced from the same soil fungus, DV - Bifenazate. 3) Green barrier, S.P. is developed on the basis of the fungus Beauveria bassiana, 108 CFU/g. 4) Mikolar B, Mikolar M. are based on strains of entomopathogenic fungi of boveria and metarizium from the collection of the biotechnology laboratory of Kazniizikr LLP. 5) Novacrid is a drug manufactured by Elephant Vert. The drug is pure spores of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae. 6) Greene gold, 0.3% by weight (azadirakhtin, 0.3%). In general, all the tested means have shown one or another effectiveness in the fight against locust larvae. The most rapid and strong toxic effect was shown by the drug actofit based on avermectins - up to 90-99% mortality on day 1-3, up to 100% mortality on day 10. The herbal preparation Greene Gold showed a slightly smaller effect on all three types of locusts. Mycola B and Mycola M did not show high efficacy, which is due to the lack of preparation forms. In experiments on the use of the So-450 sprayer and the Gaia 160 AG UAV as a treatment technique against locust larvae, identical results were obtained in all experiments, which will further simplify the test procedure using only one of the types of equipment, depending on the circumstances.

Ақсу-Жабағлы қорығының қаттықанаттылары (Coleoptera) фаунасына материалдар

The article presents the results of field studies carried out on the territory of the AksuZhabaglinsky reserve in 2020-2021. As a result of the research, the collected materials on Coleoptera were analyzed. Coleoptera are the largest group of insects. Among them are zoophages, phytophages, saprophages, necrophages and species that live on land, soil and water. The zoophages of Coleoptera are very useful for pest management and play an important role in nature. Field studies were carried out from early May to late September. The studies were carried out by entomological methods (entomological landing net, soil trap, night fishing for insects with artificial lighting, manual collection, etc.). Because of the study of Coleoptera in the Aksu-Zhabaglinsky Nature Reserve in 2020-2021, 29 species belonging to 9 families were identified. Among them, the dominant species in terms of species composition are the family Meloidae - 7 species (24%), the Buprestidae family - 5 species (17%), the Scarabaeidae, Chrysomelidae families - 4 species each, 14%), the Carabidae family - 3 species (10%) , of the remaining 4 families (Silphidae, Coccinellidae, Rhynchitidae, Tenebrionidae), only 1-2 species are known.

Барсакелмес қорығы қаттықанаттыларының (Coleoptera) күзгі фаунасы

Coleoptera are the most diverse and species-rich order of insects. Biologically, coleoptera are very diverse. Beetle nutrition is also extremely diverse. Among them there are predators, phytophages, saprophages, necrophages. Predatory beetles prey on various small invertebrates, mainly other insects. Herbivorous beetles feed not only on the green parts of a wide variety of plants, but also on wood. Beetles are found everywhere (in water, on land, on plants, in soil) and are essential in the circulation of substances in nature. The research was carried out in October 2021 in the section of the Syrdarya River delta, up to the Koksarai dam, Amanatkol Lake, Shobankol Lake, Alakol Lake, Akshatau Lake, Shomishkol lake, okr. village. Shomishkol, Kolshykkan lake. Conventional entomological traditional methods were used in the conducted research. As a result of the field work, representatives from the Insect class (Insecta) of the order Coleoptera, or beetles (Coleoptera) were identified. A total of 24 species from 4 families are represented. The sem stands out for its species diversity. Tenebrionidae (12 species), Carabidae (3 species), in the other 2 families, only 1 species are noted. Studies in 2021 have shown a decrease in the number and faunal change of dominant species. Since the studies were conducted in October, many invertebrates have already gone to winter.

Іле-Алатау МҰТП қаттықанаттылары (Coleoptera) (Оңтүстік-Шығыс Қазақстан)

The article presents the results of research conducted by the authors on the territory of the Ile-Alatau State National Natural Park in 2020-2021. Research works are devoted to the fauna, biology and ecology of beetles or beetles on the territory of this natural park. Coleoptera are the largest group of insects, which is of great practical importance. They are distributed on the territory of the IleAlatau GNPP. Most of the beetle species are zoophages, and phytophages also predominate. When collecting the material, standard entomological methods were used-collection with an entomological filter, collection with an artificial light source, manual collection, etc. As a result of the conducted research, 47 species from 10 families of the coleoptera order were collected on the territory of the Ile-Alatau State National Natural Park: Meloidae, Curculionidae, Buprestidae, Chrysomelidae (out of 8 species, 17%), Tenebrionidae, Cerambycidae, Scarabaeidae (of 3 species, 7%), Coccinellidae, Silphidae, Сarabidae (of 2 species, 4%). In this order, predatory beetles are nutritionally related: representatives of the family Coccinellidae, Carabidae, the remaining species from 8 families (Meloidae, Curculionidae, Buprestidae, Chrysomelidae, Tenebrionidae, Cerambycidae, Scarabaeidae, Silphidae) are phytophages. Coleoptera are divided into zoophages (4 species), phytophages (41 species), coprophages (1 species), saprophages (1 species) by nutritional connection. Coleoptera on the territory of the Ile-Alatau State National Natural Park differ into chortobionts (27), dendrobionts (17 species), herpetobionts (3 species). Beetles in the park are ecologically mesophilic species.

Bioecological peculiarities and economic significance of large fruit bark beetle (Scolytus mali Bechstein, 1805) and fig bark beetle (Hypoborus ficus Erichson, 1836) in the southern slopes of the Great Caucasus (Azerbaijan)

Background. Bark beetles (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae) are major pests of wood-fruit trees, and infestations often accelerate tree death. Bark beetles are insects that are closely related to their host trees. According to the type of feeding they belong to xylophages [7]. They prefer weakened, sick or damaged trees. Thus, bark beeteles can more easily penetrate into trees affected by various natural phenomena (wind, storm, rain) or primary pests. They are hardly ever found in rotting trees. The research was carried out on the southern slopes of the Great Caucasus during the period 2013–2016. The great difference in the altitude in the study area results in a variety of natural conditions. This, in turn, leads to the richess of fauna and flora of the area. Thus, valuable fruit trees grow both in the forests and fruit farms of the study region. However, large numbers of fruit trees are attacked by bark beetles every year, which negatively affects the numbers and the quality of trees. Untimely processing of the trees leads to their drying and destruction. According to modern systematics, bark beetles belong to the Scolytinae (Latreille, 1804) subfamily of the Curculionidae (Latreille, 1802) family. There are about 6,000 species of bark beetles from 28 triba and 230 genera in the world [8]. These insects also cause serious damage in countries neighboring of Azerbaijan [1, 2, 9, 11 ]. Despite the fact that bark beetles are of great agricultural importance, they are not sufficiently studied in Azerbaijan. Materials and Methods.The material for research was collected and treated according to common entomological methods. The vegetative organs of various trees were cut and dissected to detect adult beetles, eggs and larvae of bark beetles. Identification of bark beetles was carried out according to keys. MBS-9 microscope was used to determine the morphological features of beetles. Results. As a results of the research, we analyzed 241 samples (237 adults and 4 pupae) of bark beetles collected in 7 districts of the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus, of which 54 specimens belonged to Scolytus mali and 187 to Hypoborus ficus. Conclusion. Out of 30 species of bark beetles detected on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus, 7 ones (Scolytus mali Bechst., S. amygdali Guer., S. fasciatus Rtt., S. rugulosus Ratz., Hypoborus ficus Er., Xyleborus dispar F., X. saxeseni Ratz.) were determined as fruit trees pests. Two of them (Scolytus mali and Hypoborus ficus) are widely distributed in the area and cause serious damage to fruit trees.

Алматы қаласындағы жартылай қаттықанаттылардың (Heteroptera) фаунасы

The article presents the results of research conducted by the authors on the territory of Almaty in 2020-2021. Research works are devoted to the fauna, biology and ecology of hemiptera on the territory of the city. Hemiptera, or bedbugs, are the most numerous group of insects of great practical importance. Hemiptera are widely distributed in the city.When collecting the material, standard entomological methods were used - collecting with an entomological net, catching small insects with an exhauster, at night on an artificial light source, manual collection, etc. As a result of studies of hemiptera in Almaty, 43 species from 4 families were identified. According to the number of species, the family Miridae prevails – 22 species (51%), Anthocoridae – 9 species (21%), and from the family Tingidae, Nabidae – 6 species (14% each). Of these, Stenodema calcarata, Lygus pratensis, Lygus rugulipennis, Adelphocoris lineolatus, Deraeocoris punctulatus, Nabis ferus are mass, 21 are common, 16 are rare. According to their proximity to the habitats, the hemiptera of Almaty are divided into several groups: dendrobionts (10 species), dendro-tamno-hortobionts (2 species), dendro-tamno-hortobionts (1 species), hortobionts (20 species), herpetobionts (1 species), dendro-hortobionts (3 species), tamno-hortobionts (4 species), horto-tamno-dendrobionts (2 species). All 4 known types of voltinism are characteristic of the semiptera of Almaty. According to the number of generations per year, all species of hemiptera of Almaty can be divided into several groups: 1) monovoltine (14 species), 2) bivoltine (15 species), 3) having 2-3 generations per year (10 species), 4) polyvoltine (4 species). The biology and ecology of hemiptera are studied rather unevenly. The hemiptera of Almaty belong to mesophilic species. Hemiptera are insects with incomplete transformation and go through the following stages of development – egg, larva and imago. They are characterized by wintering at different stages of development. In most species of Almaty, the winter diapause occurs at the imago stage (29 species), but few species overwinter in the egg stage (14 species).

Effectiveness of modern insecticides in protection of apple planting from red-headed aphides

Goal. To investigate an efficacy of the insecticides Movento 100 SC (spirotetramate, 100 g/l), Sivanto Prime 200 SL (flupiradifuran, 200 g/l) and Transform WG (sulfoxaflor, 500 g/kg) on a reduction of a number and a harmfulness of red-headed or gray apple aphid (Disaphis devecta Walk.) in commercial apple orchards.
 Methods. A field method, in the commercial apple orchards under the conditions of educational production department of university. A type of apple trees was Golden Delicious. Planting scheme — 4.0 × 3.0 m. Year of planting — 1992. Crown shape — sparsely (improved) — tiered. Rootstock — MM-106. Phases of plant development at application timing — «after blooming, fruit size — up to 20 mm» (BBCH 72). Soil — shallow, low — humus dusty — loamy podzolic leached black soils: humus content — 1.3—2.5%; pH 4.8—5.2; mobile compounds Р2О5 — 130—180 mg/ kg and К2О — 8,9—9,2 mg/kg (by Chirikov method). The measures for care of the experimental site — loosening a soil in the stem strips during the growing period, an application of organic and mineral fertilizers, a pruning, a splaying of grass between the rows (row spacing),a protection from pests and diseases. The technical effectiveness of applications was determined in different rates against red-headed aphids in the apple orchards. Calculations were made according to generally accepted methods in plant protection and entomology.
 Results. The use of insecticides Movento 100 SC, Sivanto Prime 200 SL and Transform WG against red-headed aphids provided a reduction of this species in the number of 92.8—97.2%. It allowed to obtain a high — grade apple product with a yield of 1.7—1.9 times higher comparing to control. The outcome of non-standard products did not exceed 4.9% compare to 24.9% in the control (water treatment).
 Conclusions. The use of insecticides Movento 100 SC, Sivanto Prime 200 SL, Transform WG can reduce effectively the harmfulness of red-headed aphids in apple orchards and control its number during the growing period. A limiting the number of a current sucking species in the apple orchard by using the studied applications provided a yield increase and a marketable quality of the obtained fruit products.

Chemical protection of the onion from phytophages in the Right-Bank of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Goal. To monitor the species composition of the harmful entomocomplex of onions and determine the effectiveness of modern insecticides in different ways of their application (spraying and seed treatment).
 Methods. Laboratory and field studies were carried out according to generally accepted methods and using classical methods of entomology; vario-statistical analysis.
 Results. It has been established that on the crops of the onion of the onion in the right bank forest-steppe of Ukraine, 11 species of phytophages are dominated by the most numerous: Delia antigua Mg., Trips tabaci Lind., Ceuthorrhynchus jakovlevi Schultze and Eumerus strigatus Fall. Species composition of pests on the hybrids of antelope F1, Dyton F1, Bank F1 and Halkodon varieties and the globe was the same, but the number was significantly different. The hybrids of the foreign selection, the size of the onion flies was at a level of 3.5—12.7 l./р., And on the varieties of Halcodon and the globe — 5.1—16.6 l./р. It was investigated that the technical efficiency of onion seed disinfectants was: Cruiser 350 FS, because — 79.3% and Celeste Top 312.5 FS, TH — 71.7%. The greatest technical efficiency of the tested insecticides against the dominant phytophages with double spraying of onion crops was provided by Engio 247 SC, KS — 78.5% and Lannat, 20 RK — 74.6%.
 Conclusions. It was found that the use of seed disinfectants drugs Cruiser 350 FS, because (0.15 l/t) and Celest Top 312.5 FS, TN (0.1 l/t) and two treatments with Engio 247SC, KS (0.18 l/ha) provide protection of onion crops from pests and their control, both in the initial stages of development and during the growing season.

Фітосанітарний стан агроценозу пшениці озимої у Південному Степу України

It is established that winter wheat belongs to the oldest crops and is the main food product in many countries. In Ukraine, the sown area of winter wheat is 5–6 million hectares. More than half of winter wheat grain production falls on the steppe zone. Cereal crops are damaged by insects in all growing zones, especially in the steppe zone of Ukraine. This is due to both the significant diversity of harmful species and the fact that in this area they reproduce most quickly and intensively. In addition, the lack of spring and summer precipitation exacerbates the negative significance of damage. Feeding insects on cereals causes a wide variety of damage, both in nature and in consequences for plants and crops. It is determined that one of the urgent problems of winter wheat protection is the study of patterns of dynamics of the number of major pests in modern agrobiocenoses. According to many scientists, global warming has affected the structure of entomocomplexes, as it optimizes environmental factors for the activities of insects, leads to their reproduction and spread. Harmful entomocomplex of winter wheat covers more than 360 species of insects. They damage the plants of this strategically important crop during all periods of growth. However, the species structure, level of dominance, number and harmfulness of insects are constantly varying, largely due to changes in climatic conditions associated with global warming. The article analyzes the phytosanitary status of winter wheat agrocenoses in the Southern Steppe of Ukraine during 2017–2019. The aim of the study was to determine the species composition and population density of insects in the modern entomocomplex with different technologies of growing crops in short-rotation crop rotations of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine. The research was performed in the research field of the Odessa State Agricultural Research Station of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine. Observations and records were carried out in all phases of plant development during route inspections of winter wheat fields and adjacent fallows and other stations according to generally accepted methods of entomology and plant protection: mowing with entomological net, shaking of individual plants, test sites and test plants. The species composition of the detected insects was determined in the laboratory. According to the results of studies of the species composition and population density of insects in modern entomocomplexes, it was found that the vast majority of identified species – 78% belong to phytophages, 17% – to entomophages, 5% – to neutral species. Changes in the entomological complex and population levels of the phytophagous complex of the agrocenosis of winter cereals have been revealed. 46 species belonging to 19 families from 8 orders of the insect class were found in the harmful entomofauna. Significant fluctuations of entomocomplex structures in short-rotation crop rotation in the conditions of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine have been established. In particular, with the use of typical zonal technologies for growing crops, which lead to the reproduction of specialized pests.

New insights into malaria vector bionomics in Lao PDR: a nationwide entomology survey

BackgroundIn Laos, the malaria burden remains high despite a significant reduction of cases during the last decade. In the context of the disease elimination by 2030, a nationwide entomological survey was conducted to better understand the distribution, abundance and behaviour of major malaria vectors (Anopheles spp.) in the country.MethodsMosquito collections were implemented in ten villages from ten provinces during the rainy and dry seasons of 2014 and 2015 by using human landing catch (HLC) and cow bait collection (CBC) methods. After morphological identification in the field, molecular identification of the sibling species of Anopheles mosquitoes from the Funestus, Leucosphyrus, and Maculatus groups were determined using PCR specific alleles. A screening of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections in the vectors was carried out by quantitative PCR assays.ResultsA total of 14,146 adult mosquitoes representing 25 different Anopheles species were collected and morphologically identified. Molecular identification revealed the presence of 12 sibling species within the main primary vector groups, including Anopheles maculatus, Anopheles rampae, Anopheles sawadwongporni, Anopheles pseudowillmori, Anopheles dravidicus, Anopheles minimus, Anopheles aconitus, Anopheles pampanai, Anopheles harrisoni, Anopheles dirus, Anopheles baimaii, Anopheles nemophilous. Anopheles maculatus and An. minimus were predominant during both the dry and rainy seasons, but showed highly zoophilic preferences (Zoophilic index of 98% and 95%, respectively). Overall, 22% of the total malaria vectors were collected between 10:00 PM and 5:00 AM indoors when people are sleeping. Twenty-seven percent of primary and secondary vectors were collected outdoors before 10:00 PM or after 5:00 AM, times when people are usually awake and outdoors. Only two specimens were positive for P. falciparum, one An. aconitus from Phongsaly and one An. minimus from Vientiane ProvinceConclusionsThe results indicate that people living in rural areas in Laos are constantly exposed to malaria vectors throughout the year and specifically outdoors. The use of LLINs/IRS remains important but innovative tools and new strategies are needed to address locally, the early and outdoor malaria transmission. Lack of expertise in general entomological methods may further exacerbate the situation.

Entomological and Virological Methods for the Identification of Potential Vectors of Lumpy Skin Disease Virus in the South-Eastern Part of Northern Caucasus, Russia

Abstract The article provides assessment of field and laboratory methods for the collection and evaluation of potential vectors of lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) in one of the districts of Krasnodarskiy Kray in southern Russia. In this study, we tested several methods of vector collection and a PCR protocol for the detection of the LSDV genome in insects. Descriptive data on samples were collected using a free web-based application Epicollect5. Potential LSDV vectors are quite widely spread insects in this region. We identified 15 insect species, including Musca domestica, Musca autumnalis and Stomoxys calcitrans. Analysis of the insect population showed an increase in species diversity and a decrease in abundance of the insect population by the end of the flight season. PCR tests did not detect LSDV genome in the collected samples. All the methods tested were found suitable for large-scale monitoring of lumpy skin disease (LSD). Further studies on potential risk factors of LSD spread are necessary to improve measures on preventing and eliminating the disease.

Estimation of physiological age at emergence based on traits of the forensically useful adult carrion beetle Necrodes littoralis L. (Silphidae)

The main entomological method for post-mortem interval involves estimation of age for immature insects found on a cadaver. Forensic entomologists frequently use the thermal summation value for the total immature development (K), which is a measure of physiological time needed to complete development of a species (age at emergence). K is highly variable within the species. Its true value for an adult insect may be estimated based on insect traits such as size and sex at maturity. Here, we have tested, if size and sex of adult beetles of Necrodes littoralis may be useful for the estimation of the true K. Necrodes littoralis is a Palearctic carrion beetle that frequently colonizes human cadavers in forest and agricultural environments.General and sex-specific thermal summation models for the emergence and models for the relationship between size of adult beetles and their age at emergence were developed for N. littoralis. The models were subsequently tested in the validation study. The general K for N. littoralis was about 469 (+/-25 SE) accumulated degree-days above the developmental threshold of about 8.5 (+/-0.45 SE) °C. Thermal summation parameters of the sex-specific models revealed minor differences compared to the general model. A true K was negatively related to the beetle size. Methods for the estimation of K represented its true value with different accuracy. The highest accuracy was obtained when K was estimated using beetle weight as a predictor variable and the sex-specific models for the relationship between K and size, although sex contributed slightly to this improvement. Using this method the estimated K represented the true K with the error of 6.3%, while the error for K from the general thermal summation model was about 9.7%.In conclusion, the findings demonstrate that physiological age at emergence of N. littoralis may be accurately predicted based on the adult beetle size. Necrodes littoralis is a second beetle species in which the age at maturity was more accurately represented by size-based estimates of K than K from the general thermal summation model. Therefore, we encourage testing the relationship between K and size in all insect species that are used in forensic entomology; particularly blow flies and flesh flies.