Pest Control Methods Research Articles

Empowering Communities with Integrated Pest Management for Sustainable Agriculture

Background: The aim of this community development initiative, centered around community engagement, is to address the pressing issue of declining agricultural productivity due to pest infestations in the Asahan Regency, a developing area. Through educational and training programs, the initiative seeks to advocate for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices and safe pesticide usage among farmers, while also addressing the environmental impacts of chemical pesticide use. Contribution: The primary focus is to gauge the impact of these initiatives in fostering sustainable and environmentally responsible agricultural practices in Asahan Regency, ultimately enhancing the overall well-being of the farming community. Method: A total of 50 farmers actively participated in these programs, all of whom derived substantial benefits that directly contributed to the improvement of their livelihoods. Results: The implementation of IPM with a community development approach has the potential to significantly enhance paddy rice productivity while promoting sustainable agriculture Conclusion: By involving the local community, improving pest control methods, reducing environmental impact, and fostering knowledge sharing, this approach can lead to positive outcomes for both farmers and the environment

Effect of Lantana camara l. Essential oil: a natural solution for managing stored grain insects

Grain production increases annually, yet stored grain pests pose a persistent challenge to agriculture. While pesticides have traditionally been the primary solution, their improper and widespread use has led to the development of resistance in some pests, rendering them ineffective. Consequently, essential oils have emerged as a promising alternative to address this issue. In this research, the insecticidal and repellent properties of essential oil extracted from L. camara were assessed against significant stored grain pests viz., Sitophilus oryzae (rice weevil), (rice weevil), Rhyzopertha dominica (dhal beetle), and Carpophilus dimidiatus (peanut beetle), aiming to determine its potential as a viable method for safeguarding stored grains against the most prevalent pests. The results were promising, however, the underlying mechanism of action have not yet been fully understood. Allocating resources towards researching alternative methods of pest control can significantly enhance sustainable agricultural practices.

Understanding Insect Behavior and Physiology for Effective Pest Management

Effective pest management is crucial for sustainable agriculture and public health, necessitating a deep understanding of insect behavior and physiology. This paper explores the intricate mechanisms that govern insect activities and their interactions with the environment, which are pivotal in developing targeted and efficient pest control strategies. By delving into the sensory and neural processes that drive insect behavior, we uncover how insects locate food, mates, and habitats, providing insights into disrupting these processes to control pest populations. Additionally, the study examines the physiological adaptations that enable insects to thrive under various environmental conditions, such as resistance to pesticides and adaptation to climate changes. Understanding these adaptations is essential for designing novel, more sustainable pest management techniques. The paper also discusses the role of chemical ecology in pest management, focusing on pheromones and other semiochemicals used in integrated pest management (IPM) programs. By combining behavioral studies with physiological research, this paper aims to highlight the synergy between these fields, offering a comprehensive approach to developing innovative and effective pest control methods. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the advancement of pest management practices that are not only effective but also environmentally sustainable and economically viable.

Harnessing Soil Diversity: Innovative Strategies for Potato Blight Management in Central-Eastern Poland

Faced with increasing climate challenges, this pioneering study introduces groundbreaking approaches to ensure the resilience of potato crops in east-central Poland. Our research was aimed at developing an innovative, cost-effective system tailored to the diverse local conditions of this region. Conducted between 2018 and 2020, the study analyzed integrated and organic production systems across different soil types and potato varieties. The experiment was conducted using a randomized block design with three replications in two locations. Integrated production systems involve the strategic use of mineral fertilization and chemical protection to optimize crop growth and health, whereas organic production systems rely solely on natural inputs and biological pest control methods. Integrated practices, enhanced by mineral fertilization and chemical protection, notably delayed the onset of late blight by 16 days and extended the critical infection period by 17% compared to their organic counterparts. Remarkably, the integrated systems resulted in a 49% increase in total production and a 52% increase in commercial yields, demonstrating their effectiveness in enhancing crop resilience. Different potato varieties exhibit varied responses to cultivation systems, influencing both yield and disease resistance. Further investigation into these varietal responses can help optimize cultivation practices, leading to improved efficiency and sustainability in potato farming. Location and soil conditions have a significant impact on potato yield and the spread of potato blight. Specific soil properties such as pH levels, organic matter content, soil texture (clay, silt, and sand composition), moisture retention capacity, and nutrient availability are crucial in determining potato productivity and disease dynamics. Further research into these soil properties and the adaptation of varieties to local conditions can contribute to increased productivity and stability in potato production. This study not only paves the way toward sustainable agriculture but also highlights the crucial role of soil diversity in shaping resilient farming practices. Potato producers in the eastern-central region of Poland should implement integrated production systems using mineral fertilization and chemical plant protection, adapted to local soil conditions and potato varieties. These practices can delay the appearance of late blight and increase the total and marketable potato yield. Further research on soil properties and variety adaptation may increase production stability and efficiency. Promoting soil diversity and modern technologies will ensure resilient and sustainable agricultural production in the face of climate change.

A novel fuzzy GRA-based possibility theory soft computing process for selection pest control methods

The study presents the effective approach that combines the ideal with non-ideal points, GRA, and possibility theory to handle uncertain information in selecting pest control methods within an MCDM problem. The proposed approach for selecting pest control methods can incorporate uncertainty information expressed by fuzzy numbers, possibilistic mean, and possibilistic variance. Decision-maker can comprehend the gaps between alternative solutions and the aspired outcomes, and it allows for the consideration of decision-making risks under a fuzzy environment. The study establishes an evaluation framework for selecting pest control methods by using the empirical study, and one obtains an appropriate pest control method for managing Tessaratoma papillosa in Taiwanese crops. Through the practical example, the proposed approach can be demonstrated the feasibility and efficiency.

Socioeconomic Determinants of Insect Pest Control Methods’ Utilization for Storage in North Central Nigeria

The impetus for this study is the need to understand factors influencing the use of insect pest control methods in North Central Nigeria. Specifically, the study described the socioeconomic characteristics of respondents, assessed awareness and use of insect pest control methods, examined farmers’ considerations and investigated factors influencing insect pest control decisions. Using a structured interview schedule to elicit information, data was collected by means of multi-stage sampling technique to select a total of 384 cowpea farmers for this study. A purposive selection of Kwara and Niger States paved way for the purposive choice of two agricultural zones in Kwara state and one agricultural zone in Niger state. Percentages, frequency counts, ranks, mean, and ordinary least square regression was used to analyze the data. The study revealed that the intended time of sale, time required to apply method, and time of application were the factors most considered for store insect pest control. Ordinary Least Square regression estimates demonstrate positive significant relationship between farm size (t=4.681), group membership (t=4.688), and quantity stored in tons (t=2.312) and intensity of use. Conversely, years of education (t=-2.196), years of cowpea farming experience (t=-3.419), and frequency of extension contact (t=-.534) had significant negative relationship with intensity of use. In conclusion, it is recommended that policy makers and extension staff put into consideration farm size, group membership, quantity stored, years of education, years of cowpea farming experience and frequency of extension contact in optimizing extension strategy for promotion of indigenous and alternative insect pest control methods.

Detoxification of phoxim by a gut bacterium of Delia antiqua

The presence of certain associated bacteria has been reported to increase pest resistance to pesticides, which poses a serious threat to food security and the environment. Researches on the above microbe-derived pesticide resistance would bring innovative approaches for pest management. Investigations into the phoxim resistance of Delia antiqua, one Liliaceae crop pests, revealed the contribution of a phoxim-degrading gut bacterium, D39, to this resistance. However, how the strain degraded phoxim was unknown. In this study, the role of D39 in phoxim degradation and resistance was first confirmed. DT, which had an identical taxonomy but lacked phoxim-degrading activity, was analyzed alongside D39 via comparative genomics to identify the potential phoxim degrading genes. In addition, degradation metabolites were identified, and a potential degradation pathway was proposed. Furthermore, the main gene responsible for degradation and the metabolites of phoxim were further validated via prokaryotic expression. The results showed that D39 contributed to resistance in D. antiqua larva by degrading phoxim. Phoxim was degraded by an enzyme encoded by the novel gene phoD in D39 to O,O-diethyl hydrogen phosphorothioate and 2-hydroxyimino-2-phenylacetonitrile. Finally, downstream products were metabolized in the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Further analysis via prokaryotic expression of phoD confirmed its degradation activity. The mechanisms through which gut microbes promote pesticide resistance are elucidated in this study. These results could aid in the development of innovative pest control methods. In addition, this information could also be used to identify microbial agents that could be applied for the remediation of pesticide contamination.

Insecticidal activity on Tribolium castaneum and Phenacoccus solenopsis and characterization of active phytonanoparticles

Phytonanoparticles can be used as an alternative method for pest control in agriculture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the insecticidal activity of mono, bi and trimetallic phytonanoparticles (PNPs) synthesized from cachanilla (Pluchea sericea Nutt. Coville) and epazote (Chenopodium ambrosioides L.) against the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) and the cotton mealybug (Phenacoccus solenopsis). Overall, T. castaneum showed greater sensitivity to PNPs than P. solenopsis. The trimetallic PNPs, Zn/Cu/Mn of P. sericea showed significantly higher effect against T. castaneum than the crude aqueous extract of P. sericea. No other PNPs showed more effect than their respective aqueous plant extract. Physicochemical characterization of the most active PNPs showed that the Zn/Cu/Mn NP of P. sericea had a strong zeta potential of +200 mV, hydrodynamic size of 16 nm, and contains zinc (6.73%), copper (0.13%), and manganese (4.69%). This study suggests that the trimetallic Zn/Cu/Mn PNPs of P. sericea have high insecticidal effect on T. castaneum, but low toxicity on P. solenopsis. Additional research on the mode of action of PNPs on insect targets is required.

D-Limonene Is the Active Olfactory Attractant in Orange Juice for Bactrocera dorsalis (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae).

The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), poses a significant threat to the global fruit industry, causing damage to diverse fruits like citrus, mango, and guava. Chemical pesticides have limited effectiveness, and pesticide residues and pesticide resistance are pressing issues. Therefore, it is essential to develop environmentally friendly pest control methods to address this problem. Behavior-modifying chemicals, including male attractants and intersex protein baits, play a critical role in the control of B. dorsalis. The mature host fruit serves as both an oviposition site and food source under natural conditions, making it a potential attraction source for oriental fruit flies. Orange, Citrus sinensis, is a main host of B. dorsalis, and commercial orange juice is a common attractant for the egg laying of B. dorsalis. Although it can both attract and elicit oviposition behaviors in B. dorsalis adults, its active components are still unclear. This study utilized analytical chemistry, behavioral tests, and electrophysiology to identify the active components of commercial orange juice that attract B. dorsalis, with the aim of providing a reference for the development of behavior-modifying chemical-based techniques to control B. dorsalis. Five compounds with a high abundance were identified via a GC-MS, including D-Limonene, butanoic acid ethyl ester, β-myrcene, linalool, and α-terpineol. Behavioral and electrophysiological experiments uncovered that D-Limonene was the active substance that was the main attractant in the mixture of these five substances, evoking a strong electrophysiological response in adult B. dorsalis. D-Limonene strongly attracts adult B. dorsalis only when they are sexually mature, and the attraction is not rhythmic. Olfaction plays a leading role in the attraction of D-Limonene to adult B. dorsalis, and Orco-/- mediates the perception of D-Limonene by B. dorsalis. Overall, D-Limonene is one of the key attractant compounds for B. dorsalis in the volatile compounds of commercial orange juice, offering possible support for the development of behavior-modifying chemical-based technology to control B. dorsalis in the future.

Advancing RNAi-based Strategies for Eco-friendly and Targeted Insect Pest Management in Sustainable Agriculture

The RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a promising approach for targeted and eco-friendly insect pest management in sustainable agriculture. The RNAi involves the silencing of specific genes through the introduction of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), leading to the degradation of complementary mRNA and subsequent reduction in the expression of targeted proteins. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the current state and future prospects of RNAi-based strategies for insect pest control. We discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying RNAi, delivery methods for dsRNA, and the design and selection of effective target genes. The application of RNAi in controlling various insect pests, including lepidopterans, coleopterans, and hemipterans is extensively reviewed. also highlight the potential challenges and limitations associated with RNAi-based pest management, such as off-target effects, variable efficacy across insect species, and the development of resistance. Strategies to overcome these challenges, including the use of nanoparticle-based delivery systems and the combination of RNAi with other pest control methods, are explored. Furthermore, discuss the environmental and ecological considerations surrounding the use of RNAi in agriculture, emphasizing the importance of assessing non-target effects and the need for appropriate risk assessment frameworks. The chapter concludes by outlining future research directions and the potential for RNAi to revolutionize insect pest management, contributing to the development of sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.

Advancing RNAi for Sustainable Insect Management: Targeted Solutions for Eco-friendly Pest Control

Insect pests pose significant challenges to agriculture, forestry, and public health, causing substantial economic losses and threats to food security. Traditional pest control methods, such as chemical insecticides, have limitations due to the development of insecticide resistance, negative impacts on non-target organisms, and environmental concerns. RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a promising approach for developing targeted and environmentally safe insect control strategies. This review explores the potential of RNAi-based methods for pest management, discussing the mechanism of RNAi in insects, factors influencing its efficiency, and various delivery strategies. We highlight the advantages of RNAi, such as species-specific targeting and reduced off-target effects, while also addressing challenges and limitations, including variability in RNAi efficiency among insect species and potential resistance development. The review examines the environmental safety and risk assessment of RNAi-based insect control, current applications, and future prospects. We also discuss the socio-economic impact and public perception of RNAi technology, as well as research gaps and future directions. The integration of RNAi-based insect control into integrated pest management programs is crucial for developing sustainable and effective pest control solutions. By providing a comprehensive overview of the current state and future potential of RNAi-based insect control, this review aims to inform research, policy, and practice in this rapidly evolving field.

Measuring the Flight Trajectory of a Free-Flying Moth on the Basis of Noise-Reduced 3D Point Cloud Time Series Data.

Pest control is crucial in crop production; however, the use of chemical pesticides, the primary method of pest control, poses environmental issues and leads to insecticide resistance in pests. To overcome these issues, laser zapping has been studied as a clean pest control technology against the nocturnal cotton leafworm, Spodoptera litura, which has high fecundity and causes severe damage to various crops. For better sighting during laser zapping, it is important to measure the coordinates and speed of moths under low-light conditions. To achieve this, we developed an automatic detection pipeline based on point cloud time series data from stereoscopic images. We obtained 3D point cloud data from disparity images recorded under infrared and low-light conditions. To identify S. litura, we removed noise from the data using multiple filters and a support vector machine. We then computed the size of the outline box and directional angle of the 3D point cloud time series to determine the noisy point clouds. We visually inspected the flight trajectories and found that the size of the outline box and the movement direction were good indicators of noisy data. After removing noisy data, we obtained 68 flight trajectories, and the average flight speed of free-flying S. litura was 1.81 m/s.

Genomic identification and evolutionary analysis of chemosensory receptor gene families in two Phthorimaea pest species: insights into chemical ecology and host adaptation

BackgroundInsects rely on sophisticated sensitive chemosensory systems to sense their complex chemical environment. This sensory process involves a combination of odorant receptors (ORs), gustatory receptors (GRs) and ionotropic receptors (IRs) in the chemosensory system. This study focused on the identification and characterization of these three types of chemosensory receptor genes in two closely related Phthorimaea pest species, Phthorimaea operculella (potato tuber moth) and Phthorimaea absoluta (tomato leaf miner).ResultsBased on manual annotation of the genome, we identified a total of 349 chemoreceptor genes from the genome of P. operculella, including 93 OR, 206 GR and 50 IR genes, while for P. absoluta, we identified 72 OR, 122 GR and 46 IR genes. Through phylogenetic analysis, we observed minimal differences in the number and types of ORs and IRs between the potato tuber moth and tomato leaf miner. In addition, we found that compared with those of tomato leaf miners, the gustatory receptor branch of P. operculella has undergone a large expansion, which may be related to P. absoluta having a narrower host range than P. operculella. Through analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of male and female antennae, we uncovered 45 DEGs (including 32ORs, 9 GRs, and 4 IRs).ConclusionsOur research provides a foundation for exploring the chemical ecology of these two pests and offers new insights into the dietary differentiation of lepidopteran insects, while simultaneously providing molecular targets for developing environmentally friendly pest control methods based on insect chemoreception.

Farmers’ Knowledge, Attitude and Experience in the Application and Management of Pesticides

A survey was conducted on some vegetable farmers from a few selected vegetable growing areas in Bangladesh to know their social aspects, pesticide knowledge, practices, safety measures, resources and effects of pesticides. A survey questionnaire was developed and sent to 90 randomly selected vegetable farmers to determine to what extent they used pesticides. Almost 87% of the farmers’ stored pesticides in their houses without safety consideration but only about 13% used special storage. About 78.7% of farmers never read the label before applying pesticides. The most protective clothes reported by the farmers were nose masks (18.2%), and about three-fourths (71.7%) of them did not use any protective clothing. The majority (61.8%) of the farmers threw away their empty containers, and only 16.9% burned them. The majority of farmers (92.1%) applied pesticides as both curative and preventive measures. Almost all farmers reported that infested pests were identified by themselves by observing damage to flowers & fruits (86.5%) and leaves & green parts (13.5%). Most of the farmers (64%) selected pesticides for controlling pests by themselves, and 28.1% with the help of experienced farmers. Nearly 45.0% of respondents have moderate knowledge, and 44.8% have good knowledge in pesticide application and management. The most common pesticide related illnesses and injuries reported by respondents were headache/dizziness (44.9%), weakness (33.7%), stomach cramps (29.2%), and blue-red vision (16.9%). Only 23.6% of farmers observed that pesticides decrease plant yield, and 18.0% of farmers knew that pesticides destroy soil microorganisms. As the environment and human health were poorly considered, only 19.1% of respondents were bio-pesticides, 4.5% were organic pesticides, 2.2% were non-persistence pesticides, and 2.2% were natural enemy users. Respondents have very poor knowledge about modern pest control methods like beneficial microorganisms (4.7%), beneficial insects (3.5%), biological control of pests (3.5%), IPM (2.3%), SIT (1.2%), and GMO crops (1.2%). Farmers’ age was correlated negatively with education (r = -0.380) and positively with experience (r = 0.909, P < 0.01). Pesticide related illness and injuries had a significant correlation with age (r = 0.465) and experience (r = 0.395). Jagannath University Journal of Life and Earth Sciences, 9(2): 111–124, 2023 (December)

Development, feeding, and sex shape the relative quantity of the nutritional obligatory symbiont Wolbachia in bed bugs.

The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, is a hemipteran insect that feeds only on blood, and whose bites cause public health issues. Due to globalization and resistance to insecticides, this pest has undergone a significant and global resurgence in recent decades. Blood is an unbalanced diet, lacking notably sufficient B vitamins. Like all strict hematophagous arthropods, bed bugs host a nutritional symbiont supplying B vitamins. In C. lectularius, this nutritional symbiont is the intracellular bacterium Wolbachia (wCle). It is located in specific symbiotic organs, the bacteriomes, as well as in ovaries. Experimental depletion of wCle has been shown to result in longer nymphal development and lower fecundity. These phenotypes were rescued by B vitamin supplementation. Understanding the interaction between wCle and the bed bug may help to develop new pest control methods targeting the disruption of this symbiotic interaction. The objective of this work was thus to quantify accurately the density of wCle over the life cycle of the host and to describe potential associated morphological changes in the bacteriome. We also sought to determine the impact of sex, feeding status, and aging on the bacterial population dynamics. We showed that the relative quantity of wCle continuously increases during bed bug development, while the relative size of the bacteriome remains stable. We also showed that adult females harbor more wCle than males and that wCle relative quantity decreases slightly in adults with age, except in weekly-fed males. These results are discussed in the context of bed bug ecology and will help to define critical points of the symbiotic interaction during the bed bug life cycle.

Establishment of RNAi-Mediated Pest Control Method for Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta.

RNAi plays a crucial role in insect gene function research and pest control field. Nonetheless, the variable efficiency of RNAi across diverse insects and off-target effects also limited its further application. In this study, we cloned six essential housekeeping genes from Solenopsis invicta and conducted RNAi experiments by orally administering dsRNA. Then, we found that mixing with liposomes significantly enhanced the RNAi efficiency by targeting for SiV-ATPaseE. Additionally, we observed a certain lethal effect of this dsRNA on queens by our established RNAi system. Furthermore, no strict sequence-related off-target effects were detected. Finally, the RNAi effect of large-scale bacteria expressing dsRNA was successfully confirmed for controlling S. invicta. In summary, this study established an RNAi system for S. invicta and provided a research template for the future development of nucleic acid drugs based on RNAi.

Efficiency of Citrus limon L. Ripe Peel Extract In The Control of Raoiella indica (HIRST, 1924) (Prostigmata: Tenuipalpidae)

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the acaricidal potential of the aqueous extract obtained from the ripe peels of Citrus limon on adults of Raoiella indica. Theoretical Reference: R. indica is a phytophagous mite that primarily attacks plants of the Arecaceae family. As it is considered a relatively new pest in Brazil, there are few control methods available, with synthetic chemical control being the primary one. Method: The ripe peels of C. limon were dried and ground into a fine powder, which was used to formulate extract concentrations of 0.00, 1.00, 1.64, 2.70, 4.44, 7.30, and 12.00%. The extracts were sprayed on 12 adult females of R. indica per experimental unit, with 7 repetitions for each concentration. Mortality was assessed at 24, 48, and 72 hours after spraying. Results and Conclusion: The mortality of R. indica increased as the concentrations of the ripe peel extract of C. limon increased, reaching 88% for the highest concentration after 72 hours of application. Research Implications: The aqueous extract of ripe peels of C. limon demonstrated acaricidal efficiency against R. indica under controlled conditions. Originality/Value: This work adds value to the study of alternative methods of agricultural pest control, as a means of promoting more economically and ecologically sustainable management.

Some loss factors and processing methods of dried fishes used in the Sahelian domain of Cameroon

Fish is an important source of protein, minerals and essential fatty acids for human nutrition. To ensure its permanent availability, this highly perishable commodity is processed and stored. However, during storage, dry fishes suffer significant quantitative and qualitative losses due to the lack of efficient pest control methods and preservative processes. An intensive interview survey was conducted with 175 dry fish sellers in markets and processors' families in the Logone basin from 2020 to 2021 to identify the causes of losses and the usual tools used to limit them. It was found that losses of dry fish start during handling and transport where inadequate packaging breaks the dry fish. In addition, fishes are attacked by insect pests, losses depend on fish species and climate. In the Logone basin, 14 species of fish are caught and processed, the most represented species are Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus 1758 with 24.49%, Clarias gariepinus Burchell 1822 with 21.26% and Brevimyrus niger Günther 1866 with 15.40%. Their major pests are insects (53%), rodents (28%) and fungi (9%). Moreover, during handling/transport, 10% are lost. The insects identified are from the family of Cleridae and Dermestidae. Cleridae predominate in the surveyed areas with 67.76% against 32.23% of Dermestidae. Four species are identified: Dermestes maculatus, Dermestes frischii, Dermestes ater and Necrobia rufipes. Moreover, to protect their fish against these insect pests, stakeholders use industrial chemicals, generally sold as plant protection products, and local products derived from biodiversity local. The most popular chemical pesticide applied on dried fish has dichlorvos as active ingredient (83%). The most used are DD FORCE (48.51%) and PRIME SHI (16.26%), at the level of sellers and processors. It is an extremely hazardous pesticide, damaging health of consumers and polluting the environment. It would be necessary to consider the use of bio insecticides for the protection of the dried fish against pests and for the health safety of consumers. Key words: Dry fish, insect pests, storage, pesticides, Cameroon, Logone basin

Consumption of β-Caryophyllene Increases the Mating Success of Bactrocera zonata Males (Diptera: Tephritidae).

The peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is an economically important polyphagous quarantine pest of horticultural crops endemic to South and Southeast Asia. Methyl eugenol (ME), a naturally occurring phenylpropanoid, is a male attractant used to lure and (when mixed with an insecticide) annihilate the males from the wild population, a method of pest control termed the male annihilation technique (MAT). ME is reported to enhance the mating success of sterile males of Bactrocera spp., which is critical for enhancing the effectiveness of the sterile insect technique (SIT). The suppressed response of ME-treated males to ME-baited traps/devices allows the simultaneous application of the MAT and SIT, increasing the efficiency of area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) programs. However, ME treatment in sterile males in SIT facilities is logistically difficult. β-caryophyllene (BCP) is a widely occurring, safer plant compound and is considered suitable for treating males in SIT facilities. Here, we demonstrate that BCP feeding enhanced B. zonata male mating success to the same extent as ME feeding. Feeding on BCP suppressed the male's subsequent attraction to ME-baited traps, but not to the same degree as feeding on ME. The results are discussed and BCP is suggested as an alternative to ME for the concurrent use of the MAT and SIT.

Graphical models for identifying pore-forming proteins.

Pore-forming toxins (PFTs) are proteins that form lesions in biological membranes. Better understanding of the structure and function of these proteins will be beneficial in a number of biotechnological applications, including the development of new pest control methods in agriculture. When searching for new pore formers, existing sequence homology-based methods fail to discover truly novel proteins with low sequence identity to known proteins. Search methodologies based on protein structures would help us move beyond this limitation. As the number of known structures for PFTs is very limited, it's quite challenging to identify new proteins having similar structures using computational approaches like deep learning. In this article, we therefore propose a sample-efficient graphical model, where a protein structure graph is first constructed according to consensus secondary structures. A semi-Markov conditional random fields model is then developed to perform protein sequence segmentation. We demonstrate that our method is able to distinguish structurally similar proteins even in the absence of sequence similarity (pairwise sequence identity < 0.4)-a feat not achievable by traditional approaches like HMMs. To extract proteins of interest from a genome-wide protein database for further study, we also develop an efficient framework for UniRef50 with 43 million proteins.