Insect Species Research Articles

Complex interplay between the microfluidic and optical properties of Hoplia sp. beetles.

All living organisms exist in a world affected by many external influences, especially water and light. Photonic nanostructures present in certain insects, have evolved over time in response to diverse environmental conditions, facilitating communication within and between species, camouflage, thermoregulation, hydration, and more. Up to now, only a few insect species have been discovered whose elytron changes its color due to permeation of water (or its vapor) through cuticle. Here we report on a scarabaeid beetle Hoplia argentea remarkable in its ability to shift from green to brownish-red when exposed to water, demonstrating reversible changes. Here we show that elytron and scales form a complex and efficient micro/nano-optofluidic system. Water is channeled into the elytral lacunae, then transported internally to the petals of the scales, where it is wicked inside each scale, pushing the entrapped air out. Wicking is a very fast process, occurring during a few seconds. The advantage of this principle is in extremely high pressure (approximately 15bar) produced by capillary forces, which expediates permeation of air. We present optical models that explain the physical mechanisms behind the coloration, detailing how superhydrophilic properties influence optical behavior. Species within the genus Hoplia exhibit diverse coloration strategies, likely linked to their specific ecological niches. These organisms have evolved intricate optical and microfluidic systems that facilitate rapid alterations in body coloration, potentially serving purposes such as environmental camouflage and thermoregulation. Studying microfluidic and optical properties of the elytra will not only enhance our understanding of the biological purposes behind color change but also inspires design of artificial biomimetic devices. Dynamic fluid flow patterns, described in this paper, are fairly constant and unique and can be used in security applications as a, so called, physically unclonable functions (PUF). More broadly, this kind of microfluidic system can be used for controlled drug release, sensing, hydraulic and pneumatic pumping.

Analysis of Key Environmental Variables Affecting Fish Communities and Species Distribution in Asian Lotic Ecosystems

In 2011, Korea installed artificial structures on four rivers to secure water resources and reduce flood damage; however, these structures have altered ecosystems and aquatic communities. This study analyzed fish communities and environmental variables at 72 sites in the Geumgang River. Fish communities and environmental variables before weir installation were examined using site data from 2008 to 2009. The results showed that Cyprinidae dominated the 70 observed species. A self-organizing map categorized the 72 sites into four groups based on fish communities. Sensitive and insectivorous species decreased, whereas tolerant and omnivorous species increased from Groups I to IV. Twenty-one indicator species were identified, with fewer and less distinct distribution patterns in Groups II and III than in Groups I and IV. The fish assessment index (FAI) showed a decline in grades A and B and an increase in grades C and D from Groups I to IV. Correlation analysis between the FAI and environmental variables indicated that fish communities in the Geumgang River were mainly influenced by water quality, reflecting altitude gradients and pollution levels. This study’s findings are anticipated to significantly inform water management strategies for the Geumgang, Yeongsangang, Nakdonggang, and Hangang Rivers.

A new Trychopeplus species (Phasmatodea, Diapheromerinae, Cladomorformia) discovered from Ecuador’s enigmatic Chocó ecoregion

This study presents a description of a new stick insect species belonging to the genus Trychopeplus Shelford, 1909, discovered by the authors in the Chocó ecoregion of northwestern Ecuador. Trychopeplus mashpiensissp. nov. is described and illustrated based on males, females, and eggs. The distinctive features of this new species, such as its unique body ornamentation and the morphology of its egg structure without fringes, clearly differentiate it from other known species within the genus. Photographs of the new species are provided, along with an updated key and distribution map for all Trychopeplus species. These findings enhance our understanding of the genus’s diversity.

Ecology and phenology of the bat tick Argas (Carios) dewae (Acari: Argasidae).

Although 12 soft tick species (Argasidae) are native to Australia, the ecology of most is poorly known. Argas dewae parasitizes several insectivorous bat species and has been recorded on humans. Therefore, understanding its ecology is crucial for wildlife health management and public health preparedness. To address this knowledge gap, A. dewae populations were monitored from 2 bat hosts (Chalinolobus gouldii and Austronomus australis) using bat boxes at 3 sites in Victoria, Australia, for 28 months (July 2005–December 2007). A phenological profile undertaken for A. dewae revealed that tick load on bat hosts increased throughout winter and peaked in the first month of spring, before collapsing and remaining low throughout the drier late spring and summer periods. There was also further investigation of the relationship between 2 response variables (tick infestation risk and tick load) and a range of explanatory variables (body condition index, sex, age class, bioseason, site, bat density per nest box). In C. gouldii, site was the only significant predictor of A. dewae infestation risk, while load was correlated with several variables including age class, sex, bioseason, roost density and body condition index. This paper also reports the first records of A. dewae from 6 bat species in 3 bat families (Miniopteridae: Miniopterus australis; Molossidae: A. australis; Vespertilionidae: Chalinolobus morio, Myotis Macropus, Vespadelus darlingtonia, Vespadelus regulus) and a second record of A. dewae from a human. The first distribution records are presented for A. dewae in South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland.

Amino acid requirements of yellow mealworm and black soldier fly larvae

Abstract In order to achieve optimal growth and health of farm animals, a different amount/ratio of essential amino acids in the feed is necessary in each phase of life. Knowledge about which amino acids are essential and in which quantities/proportions they are best administered has already greatly advanced the pig and poultry sector and is still being generated today. For the still young, rapidly developing insect sector, this knowledge could mean a major step forward towards breeding optimization. Therefore, in this research the needs of the 2 most commercially reared insect species, namely mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) (MW) and black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) (BSF), were investigated. The focus was on requirements for lysine, methionine, threonine, phenylalanine and tryptophan based on evidence from the literature and those of pigs. Semi-artificial diets based on at least 25% wheat bran (MW) and chicken feed/water (30/70) (BSF) (basic feed important for structure and certain micronutrients) supplemented with sugar and synthetic amino acids were tested. The diets were isoenergetic and isoproteinous. Of the amino acids studied, one was administered in different doses per experiment. The non-essential glutamic acid was used as a substitute at lower doses. Growth, as measured by weight gain, and survival were observed. The following results were for MW and BSF respectively. For lysine from a content of 0.35 g/100 g diet and 0.53 g/100 g diet no extra growth was noticeable. For methionine this was from 0.13 g/100 g and 0.16 g/100 g. Each time more threonine was given, a significant difference could be noticed and the minimum doses were around 0.42 g/100 g and 0.49 g/100 g. With tryptophan, for MW, there were no differences between the different concentrations. At the lowest dose of 0.06 g/100 g the maximum growth was already reached, whereas for BSF this was at 0.13 g/100 g.

Catching invasives with curiosity: the importance of passive biosecurity surveillance systems for invasive forest pest detection.

First detections of nonnative insect species are often made by curious members of the public rather than by specialists or trained professionals. Passive surveillance is a crucial component of national biosecurity surveillance, highlighted by early detection case studies of several prominent nonnative arthropod pests (e.g., Asian longhorned beetle [ALB], Jorō spider, spotted lanternfly). These examples demonstrate that curiosity and the recognition of novelty in the natural world, along with enabling technology and systems, are a critical part of early detection and effective invasive species management. This is particularly impactful when dealing with conspicuous pests or for new and emerging nonnative species that have yet to be detected in a new location. Data from historical and recent accounts of first detections of ALB incursions and other invasive forest pests underscore the need to invest in passive surveillance reporting systems and fully integrate public observations into existing surveillance frameworks. New automated approaches streamline the assessment of public observations and can generate pest alerts to initiate a formal regulatory assessment. Biodiversity monitoring platforms, such as iNaturalist, provide a focal point for community engagement and aggregate verified public observations. Empowering proactive reporting of biological novelty provides needed support for early detection of invasive species. Embracing the public as active members of the surveillance community can be cost effective and lead to the greatest gains in the proactive management of invasive species around the world.

Exploring the diversity of leafrollers (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) associated with eucalypts in South African forestry nurseries and plantations, with a new report of Strepsicrates sp.

A number of insect pests cause damage to eucalypts in South Africa. Their accurate identification is a key part of managing and controlling these pests. The aims of this study were to identify leafroller insect species in South African eucalypt nurseries and plantations, and to determine whether the species were native insects that had developed new host associations with eucalypts or introduced non-native species. A section of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) gene of multiple specimens from nurseries and plantations was sequenced. The sequence data were compared and validated using sequences available in BOLD systems and GenBank databases. Results revealed the presence of an introduced non-native Strepsicrates sp. in both nurseries and plantations. In addition, the native species Choristoneura occidentalis and Eccopsis incultana were confirmed as present in plantations only and the native species Lozotaenia capensana was confirmed as present in one of the nurseries. Eucalypts are reported as host plants of C. occidentalis, E. incultana and Lozotaenia capensana for the first time. The findings contribute valuable insights into the identification and diversity of leaf rollers in eucalypt plantations in South Africa, with potential implications for pest management.

Female contact sex pheromone recognition in the German cockroach (Blattella germanica) is mediated by two male antennae-enriched sensory neuron membrane proteins.

The German cockroach Blattella germanica is a notorious urban health pest that has developed resistance to multiple pesticides. Thus, novel non-lethal pest control agents are urgently needed. Olfaction interference via disruption of sex pheromone recognition-related genes offers a promising approach. The German cockroach has a unique courtship behavior in which female adults emit contact sex pheromones (CSPs) in response to antennal touching, which subsequently triggers distinctive male sex behavioral responses. Due to the limited volatility of CSPs, the molecular mechanisms underlying their recognition and the specific olfactory pathways activated remain poorly defined. Although the odorant receptor coreceptor (Orco) is critical for most insect olfaction, sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs), in particular SNMP1, also play crucial roles in sex pheromone recognition in moths and flies. While multiple SNMP1 homologs have been identified in multiple insect species, they have yet to be fully functionally characterized in cockroaches. In this study, RNA-interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown of BgerOrco reduced both the electrophysiology responses and courtship behaviors of males, indicating CSP perception proceeds via an olfaction pathway. Similar RNAi knockdown of BgerSNMP1e and BgerSNMP1d, which are predominantly expressed in male antennae, revealed critical roles in perceiving the major component of the Blattella germanica CSP blend. Unlike BgerSNMP1e, BgerSNMP1d was also found to function in the perception of the minor CSP component. Molecular docking analyses revealed no differences in the binding affinities of BgerSNMP1d for the major and minor CSP components, whereas the binding affinities of BgerSNMP1e displayed clear selectivity for the major component. Our results show that the olfactory pathway is critical for CSP recognition and that two male-enriched SNMP genes, BgerSNMP1e and BgerSNMP1d, are crucial factors mediating the male response to CSP stimulation in German cockroaches. This study lays a foundation for studying the mechanisms of CSP recognition and provides novel molecular targets with potential to be exploited as disruptors of courtship behavior. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Detection of Bombyx mori as a Protein Source in Feedingstuffs by Real-Time PCR with a Single-Copy Gene Target

The silkworm, Bombyx mori, is reared on a large scale, mainly for silk production. The waste from this silk production, like pupae, is underused. As an edible insect, B. mori is a good source of protein in human food and animal feed. In recent years, European legislation on the use of insects has evolved and a multitude of European companies have initiated the rearing of insects specifically for food and feed applications. Regarding animal feed, Commission Regulations (EU) 2021/1372 and 2021/1925 authorize eight insect species, including silkworm, as processed animal proteins for use in fish, pig, and poultry feed. The incorporation of edible insects into the human diet falls within Regulation (EU) No. 2015/2283 concerning novel foods. Implementation of authentication methods is imperative to ensure the conformity of the products. In the present study, we propose a specific real-time PCR method for the detection of silkworm (B. mori). The developed PCR test amplifies a 98 bp fragment of the cadherin gene. This gene is present in a single-copy per haploid genome, as demonstrated by experimental evidence. The qualitative method was successfully evaluated on the performance criteria of specificity, sensitivity, efficiency, robustness, and transferability. The applicability of the test was assessed on samples of B. mori from industry. Light microscopy and DNA metabarcoding approaches were used as a complement to genomic analysis as a means of providing authentication of the samples.

New Innovations in Seed Morphology, and Plant Physiology for Crop Protection

The seed is a mainly reproductive unit of the spermatophyta and links the subsequent generations. Other essential seed activities include survival in arid, cold, or other adverse conditions and dispersal. There is a lot of variety in the internal and external architecture of seeds. OsMKP1, a mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase, is encoded by GSN1. Rice glume cells proliferate when GSN1 expression is suppressed, producing larger but fewer rice grains. The GSN1 directly interacts with OsMAPK6 and dephosphorylates it, rendering it inactive. Thus, precise regulation of OsMAPK6 activity via reversible phosphorylation is essential for regulating the rice grain size. Some genes also negatively control the grain width and weight by inhibiting cell proliferation. The embryo, which is made up of cotyledons, hypocotyl, and radicle; the endosperm, which feeds the growing embryo; and the seed coat, which envelops the embryo and the endosperm, are the three main parts of plant seeds, each of which has unique biological functions and outcome. The growing seed can benefit from the ability to predict when a sugar burst would arrive through the phloem, since this would allow the seed to quickly adapt to its storage product synthesis. However, there are still certain obstacles that prevent the use against a variety of insect species. The adoption of various formulation procedures that improve dsRNA persistence and cellular absorption in insects is expected to overcome these issues, which are mostly related to the varying RNAi sensitivity of oral RNAi in insects. The CRISPR/Cas system has become the most popular being shown to be useful for editing the genome of plants, its uses in plants have grown significantly in comparison to other technologies.

Garden Snail Predatory Insects’ Modus Operandi Under Laboratory Conditions

Heliciculture farms are susceptible to significant biotic issues that can impact snail breeding, among them, the entomofauna predation of snails. Predatory insects can cause damage to snail shells during predation, and sometimes, the specific type of damage may be characteristic of certain insect families or species. Under laboratory conditions, we analysed the predatory activity of the species Silpha tristis Illiger, 1798 (Coleoptera: Silphidae), Ocypus olens (Müller, 1764) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), Carabus (Macrothorax) morbillosus constantinus Kraatz, 1899 (Coleoptera: Carabidae), and Lampyris sardiniae Geisthardt, 1987 (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) against the gastropod Cornu aspersum (Müller, 1774) reared on snail farms located in the Sardinian region. The adult and larval stages of each species were tested, except for L. sardiniae, as only the larval stage preys upon snails. This study showed that among all of the species considered, only two insects were able to damage the shell of C. aspersum: C. morbillosus constantinus and O.olens. This may prove valuable in C. aspersum breeding for the recognition of specific lesions, even in the absence of the predator.

Global Dynamics of Bird Migration: Trends, Mechanisms and Conservation Challenges

Global bird migration is a complex phenomenon influenced by a multitude of factors, including climate change, habitat loss, and human activities. This paper explores the trends in migratory patterns observed over recent decades, highlighting shifts in timing, routes, and species distributions Bird migrations are behavioural occurrences, exemplifying intricate spatiotemporal tactics to optimise living expenses while enhancing fitness. Birds express a range of migratory patterns, from highly predictable obligate migration, to less predictable nomadic and fugitive migrations. Despite significant advancements in bird migration studies, still certain essential gaps remain. Due to technological advancement, bird migration studies have uncovered significant insights into the behavioural, cognitive, physiological, and evolutionary underpinnings. The seasonal variability of bird populations presents an intriguing phenomenon for avid observers to discern their origins, migratory routes, and return patterns. Among the remarkable migrations executed by several species of fish, animals, and insects, birds exemplify the highest degree of mobility among all living forms on Earth. This paper gives reasons for all Bird migration strategies with a view toward the preservation of Bird ecosystems and assurance of Environmental sustainability.

Selection and validation of reference genes for quantitative expression analysis of regeneration-related genes in Cheilomenes sexmaculata by real-time qRT-PCR.

Regeneration is a fascinating phenomenon that has intrigued scientists for a long time. Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius), a zig-zag ladybird beetle, possesses a high capacity for limb regeneration. The molecular mechanics of the zig-zag ladybird beetle are under-explored. Current research trends are focused on uncovering functional genes associated with limb regeneration. Most of these investigations involve quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) for their rapid and accurate analysis of gene expression levels. Hence, a stable and suitable reference gene is required to normalize the gene expression data. In this study, five housekeeping genes were selected from the transcriptomics data (in-house unpublished data) of C. sexmaculata (Fabricius). The expression stabilities of the selected genes were evaluated under different time intervals post-amputation using geNorm, normFinder, and refFinder software. Actin was revealed to be the most stable housekeeping gene, along with elongation factor 2 and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. A target gene named engrailed (an important segment-forming gene) was used to validate the selected reference genes. The expression levels were found to be consistent with the transcriptomics results. According to our study, actin, along with elongation factor 2 and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, serve as the most stable reference genes and are suitable for regeneration-related research. This study is a groundbreaking effort to identify the most stable reference gene for limb regeneration in C. sexmaculata (Fabricius), and the findings can be applied to other related insect species.

Functional Analysis of CPSF30 in Nilaparvata lugens Using RNA Interference Reveals Its Essential Role in Development and Survival

The brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) is a major pest threatening global rice production, significantly reducing yields annually. As N. lugens increasingly develops resistance to conventional control methods, such as chemical pesticides, there is an urgent need for innovative and sustainable pest management strategies. Cleavage and Polyadenylation Specificity Factor 30 (CPSF30) is a key protein involved in mRNA 3′ end processing, yet its function in N. lugens remains poorly understood. This study aims to elucidate the role of CPSF30 in the growth and development of N. lugens and evaluate its potential as a target for RNA interference (RNAi)-based pest control strategies. We cloned and characterized the cDNA sequence of NlCPSF30, which encodes a protein of 341 amino acids containing five CCCH zinc-finger domains and two CCHC zinc-knuckle domains. Sequence alignment revealed that NlCPSF30 is highly conserved among insect species, particularly in the zinc-finger domains essential for RNA binding and processing. Phylogenetic analysis showed that NlCPSF30 is closely related to CPSF30 proteins from other hemipteran species. Expression analysis indicated that NlCPSF30 is most highly expressed in the fat body and during the adult stage, with significantly higher expression in females than in males. RNAi-mediated silencing of NlCPSF30 in third-instar nymphs resulted in severe phenotypic abnormalities, including disrupted molting and increased mortality following injection of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) targeting NlCPSF30. Moreover, it influenced the expression of genes associated with hormone regulation, namely NlHry, NlE93, and NlKr-h1. These results suggest that NlCPSF30 is integral to critical physiological processes, with its disruption leading to increased mortality. Our findings identify NlCPSF30 as an essential gene for N. lugens’ survival and a promising target for RNAi-based pest management strategies. This study provides a valuable molecular target and theoretical insights for developing RNAi-based control methods against N. lugens.

A global overview of insect-fern interactions and its ecological trends.

Historically, ferns have been described as underutilized by insects. However, studies have shown a diversity of insects interacting with ferns, although the evolutionary and ecological drivers of these interactions are still to be untangled. To fill these gaps, we compiled more than 100 yr of global data on insect-fern interactions from the literature comprising 374 fern and 649 insect species. With this database we assessed how fern trophic specialization, phylogenetic relationships and climate have shaped their interactions with insects. Our findings showed that interactions between ferns and insects can be explained by the phylogenetic relations among them. We observed that insect orders part of the Endopterygota clade tend to interact with similar fern species, which might be a result of the inheritance of Endopterygota ancestors probably due to phylogenetic niche conservationism. Under an ecological context, fern specialization increased with temperature, precipitation, and climatic stability. Our results show that climate might be one of the main factors explaining the spatial variation of insect-fern interactions, postulate also supported by the observed phylogenetic clustering of the studied ferns species. Our study highlights the intricate and multifaceted nature of insect-fern interactions, where evolutionary history and ecological factors converge to shape these relationships.

30 years of terrestrial insect richness patterns across elevation: What have we learned? A global meta-analysis.

Understanding elevation variation in biodiversity is a classic question in ecology and has implications for understanding climate change impacts on mountain ecosystems. While insects are the largest group of animals, the global trend in insect species richness with elevation is unknown. To date, single studies and taxa-specific syntheses have provided no single picture, finding variable patterns of insect richness with elevation. A global synthesis across systems would provide a better understanding of how insect species richness changes with elevation and the possible environmental correlates of those patterns. We used published studies of terrestrial insect elevation gradients from 1990 to 2020 to ask: How do insect species richness change with elevation, and which environmental variables best explain this relationship statistically? With 1486 sites spanning 151 species richness-elevation gradients from 80 studies from four diverse insect taxonomic groups and five biomes, we found that overall proportional richness reached a low-elevation plateau and then decreased. We also show that mean annual temperature and seasonality best explain this trend. We suggest best practices and areas of interest for the future of insect richness-elevation studies, including underrepresented groups, geographic areas, and more standardized methods.

Quinclorac-resistant Echinochloa spp. promoted growth and reproduction of Laodelphax striatellus (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) probably by providing more nutrients and stable environment

Rice is an important agricultural crop that faces serious challenges from pathogens, pests, and weeds during growth stages. Meanwhile, these organisms would interact with each other to increase the level of destruction. The previous studies showed that barnyard grass (Echinochloa spp) could be used as a temporary host to increase infestation of small brown planthopper (SBPH, Laodelphax striatellus), which is one of the main polyphagous pests. Herbicides are widely used to control weeds that induce resistance development. However, little is known about the effects of increased weed resistance on insect species. In this study, we investigated the effect of quinclorac-resistant and sensitive biotypes of barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli var. zelayensis; Echinochloa crus-pavonis Schult) and rice plants (Wuyujing 3) on the ecological fitness of SBPH and examined physiological indicators of plants and SBPH to explore the mechanism. Our results showed that the growth and reproduction of SBPH promoted significantly reared on quinclorac-resistant barnyard grass. From the perspectives of oxidative stress response, the activities of peroxidase (POD) increased and the activities of catalase (CAT), mixed-functional oxidase (MFO), and carboxylesterase (CarE) decreased in SBPH reared on resistant barnyard grass. Combined with the increased amino acid contents (threonine, serine, methionine, and alanine) of resistant barnyard grass E. crus-pavonis, we speculate that quinclorac-resistant barnyard grass probably provides SBPH with a more suitable environment, thus increasing the risk of SBPH.

DsRNAPredictor-II: An improved predictor of identifying dsRNA and its silencing efficiency for Tribolium castaneum based on sequence length distribution

RNA interference (RNAi) has been widely utilized to investigate gene functions and has significant potential for control of pest insects. However, recent studies have revealed that the target insect species, dsRNA molecule length, target genes, and other experimental factors can affect the efficiency of RNAi mediated control, restricting the further development and application of this technology. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish a deep learning model using bioinformatics to help researchers identify dsRNA fragments with the highest RNAi efficiency. In this study, we optimized an existing model, namely, dsRNAPredictor, by designing sub-models based on different sequence lengths. Accordingly, the data were divided into two groups: 130–399 bp and 400–616 bp long sequences. Then, one-hot encoding was employed to extract sequence information. The convolutional neural network framework comprising three convolutional layers, three average pooling layers, a flattened layer, and three dense layers was employed as the classifier. By adjusting the parameters, we established two sub-models for different sequence distributions. Using multiple independent test datasets and conducting hypothesis testing, we demonstrated that our model exhibits superior performance and strong robustness to dsRNAPredictor, respectively. Therefore, our model may help design dsRNAs with pre-screening potential and facilitate further research and applications.

Water fluxes and nutrient absorption along the midgut of three hemipterans, Mahanarva fimbriolata, Dysdercus peruvianus, and Rhodnius prolixus

Hemiptera Order comprises insect species adapted to different diets regarding water and nutrient content and availability, thus suggesting different combinations of proteins to ensure their absorption. To find out whether hemipterans use the same or distinct set of proteins and whether these differences are related to the phylogeny or the diet, RNAseq analyses were conducted in gut sections of three hemipterans, M. fimbriolata, D. peruvianus, and R. prolixus, with remarkable distinct diet. Since only a few of the selected proteins were functionally characterized, the coded putative proteins were manually curated by bioinformatics to infer their physiological function. The results suggest a relationship between gene expression patterns and water and nutrient dietary content and availability. In contrast, putative gene expansions and deletions are related to phylogeny, corresponding to evolutionary adaptations of ancestral forms to feed on xylem, cotton seeds, and blood, resulting in more resemblances between D. peruvianus and R. prolixus than M. fimbriolata. M. fimbriolata absorbs water through aquaporins Drip and Prip in the filtration chamber by passive diffusion, with a higher contribution of water-selective Drip. D. peruvianus water absorption involves Drip and Prip, but Prip contribution appears to be higher, and they probably cooperate with water-ion cotransporters in the posterior midgut. R. prolixus absorbs water in the anterior midgut involving a sodium transporter and a putative water-urea Prip. Sugars, amino acids, and lipids might be absorbed along the midgut in the three species, with a higher contribution of the posterior midgut for amino acid and lipid absorption in M. fimbriolata and D. peruvianus and the middle midgut in R. prolixus.

Armazenamento e qualidade dos grãos de variedades crioulas de feijão-caupi em silo bolsa

ABSTRACT Storage is one of the main stages during grain production. The present study was conducted to evaluate the use of silo bags as an alternative for storing landrace cowpea grains. The experiment used samples of the Arigozinho, Manteiguinha, and Quarentão cowpea varieties from Cruzeiro do Sul - Acre, harvested in the 2021 crop season. The samples (500 g) were stored in raffia and silo bags for 30, 60, 90, and 120 days. The experimental design was completely randomized, arranged in a split-plot-in-time scheme (2 × 5) with four replicates. Storage conditions represented the plots: silo bags and raffia bags. The subplots comprised five storage conditions: 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days for each landrace cowpea variety. The insect species identified in all varieties was Zabrotes subfasciatus, with infestation ranging from 49% to 98% in raffia bags and less than 10% in silo bags over 120 days. A depreciation in grain quality was observed during storage in raffia bags. There was increase in electrical conductivity, fluctuations in water content, and reductions in bulk density and germination due to the higher degree of infestation in all the investigated varieties. The grains stored in silo bags showed minimal variations over the 120 days, maintaining their initial quality throughout the storage period. The bag silo storage system is an effective alternative for controlling Z. subfasciatus and maintaining the grain quality of the varieties Arigozinho, Manteiguinha, and Quarentão for a period of up to 120 days.