Predation Efficiency Research Articles

Green synthesis of Ag-Pd bimetallic nanoparticles and its efficacy against mosquito larvae and non-target organisms

BackgroundEmerging studies on bimetallic nanoparticles highlight their unique synergistic properties, but their efficacy and toxicity require further validation. Silver-palladium bimetallic nanoparticles (Ag-Pd BNPs), synthesized via eco-friendly biological methods, have demonstrated potential applications in catalysis, sensing, antimicrobial activities etc. However, data on their toxicity against invertebrates remains limited. The current study addresses this gap by presenting the eco-friendly synthesis of Ag-Pd BNPs using a nontoxic aqueous leaf extract of the plant Citrus limon. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using various techniques, and their efficacy was evaluated against mosquito larvae and nymphs of damselfly and dragonfly.ResultsUV–Vis spectroscopy analysis showed maximum absorption at 300 nm ± 40 nm for the leaf extract, while for Ag-Pd BNPs an absence of a surface plasmon resonance band was observed. FT-IR spectroscopy analysis revealed the involvement of surface functional groups from the leaf extract in nanoparticle synthesis. TEM analysis determined a mean particle size of 21 ± 7 d nm. DLS analysis showed an overall hydrodynamic size of the nanoparticles clusters with a Z-average of 1956 d nm. SEM–EDX analysis verified the presence and purity of the Ag-Pd BNPs in the sample, and XRD results identified the leaf extract-mediated synthesis with distinct peaks obtained for Ag and Pd. The nano-toxicity efficacy of Ag-Pd BNPs revealed significant larval mortality against I, II, III, and IV instar larvae of both Anopheles stephensi and Aedes aegypti mosquito species, at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h of exposure. The selected LC50 was further selected to study the predation efficiency of the non-target nymphs of damselfly and dragonfly which revealed time-dependent predation dynamics, resulting in high predation rates over specific time intervals.ConclusionThe present study offers significant scientific insights into an eco-friendly synthesis and characterization of Ag-Pd BNPs. Their inherent toxic ability to cause mortality in invertebrates like mosquito larvae underscores the need for caution in their environmental application. However, the absence of mortality among the odonate nymphs suggests the potential use of Ag-Pd BNPs in integrated vector management with optimized concentration. Future research can focus on developing controlled-release formulations to optimize environmental safety and facilitate easier remediation in natural ecosystems.

Larvicidal effects of biofabricated iron nanoparticles made from the aqueous extracts of Eupatorium adenophorum and Artocarpus hirsutus, with their effect on the predatory efficiency of mosquito fish

Larvicidal effects of biofabricated iron nanoparticles made from the aqueous extracts of Eupatorium adenophorum and Artocarpus hirsutus, with their effect on the predatory efficiency of mosquito fish

Floral Resource Integration: Enhancing Biocontrol of Tuta absoluta Within Sustainable IPM Frameworks

The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta, is a pest threatening global tomato production. This pest’s adaptability and resistance to chemical insecticides have necessitated integrated pest management (IPM) strategies prioritizing sustainable alternatives. This review explores the role of biological control agents (BCAs) in managing T. absoluta populations, emphasizing the integration of floral resources to enhance their efficacy. Predatory mirids such as Macrolophus pygmaeus and Nesidiocoris tenuis and parasitoids such as N. artynes and Trichogramma spp. are pivotal in pest suppression; however, their performance depends on nutritional and habitat support. Floral resources provide essential sugars and proteins, improving the longevity, fecundity, and predation efficiency of these BCAs. This review synthesizes case studies highlighting the benefits of selected flowering plants, such as Lobularia maritima and Fagopyrum esculentum, in supporting predator and parasitoid populations while minimizing advantages to T. absoluta. Mechanisms such as nectar quality, floral accessibility, and spatial–temporal resource availability are explored in detail. Additionally, the challenges of selective floral attraction, microbial impacts on nectar composition, and the unintended support of non-target organisms are discussed. This review proposes targeted floral management strategies to optimize BCA performance within IPM systems by integrating ecological and chemical insights. This approach offers a pathway toward reducing chemical pesticide reliance, fostering sustainable agriculture, and mitigating the economic impacts of T. absoluta infestations.

Functional Responses of the Warehouse Pirate Bug Xylocoris flavipes (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) on a Diet of Liposcelis decolor (Pearman) (Psocodea: Liposcelididae).

Psocids are difficult to manage using grain protectants and phosphine hence research on non-chemical control methods. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Xylocoris flavipes (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) at managing Liposcelis decolor (Pearman) (Psocodea: Liposcelididae). The functional responses of adult♀ and nymphs of X. flavipes on a diet of nymphs, adult♂, and adult♀ of L. decolor were determined under laboratory conditions at 28 ± 1 °C, 63 ± 5% RH, and a 0:24 (L:D) photoperiod. Maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs) of a logistic regression analysis showed that the functional responses of the life stages of X. flavipes on diets of three stages of L. decolor were Holling Type II. Estimates of the attack rate (a), handling time (Th), maximum predation (K) per day, and predation efficiency (η) per day for the two predator life stages against each prey life stage showed that the adult♀ X. flavipes predation rate was better compared with the nymphs. The adult♀ X. flavipes per capita consumption rate and searching efficiency were also higher than those of the nymphs. The data showed adults of L. decolor are more favorable for adult♀ X. flavipes whereas their nymphs prefer nymphs of L. decolor. Field evaluation of X. flavipes is required for their incorporation into psocid pest management.

Parasitoid avoidance of intraguild predation drives enemy complementarity in a multi-trophic ecological network.

How consumer diversity determines consumption efficiency is a central issue in ecology. In the context of predation and biological control, this relationship concerns predator diversity and predation efficiency. Reduced predation efficiency can result from different predator taxa eating each other in addition to their common prey (interference due to intraguild predation). By contrast, multiple predator taxa with overlapping but complementary feeding niches can generate increased predation efficiency on their common prey (enemy complementarity). When viewed strictly from an ecological perspective, intraguild predation and enemy complementarity are opposing forces. However, from an evolutionary ecology perspective, predators facing strong intraguild predation may evolve traits that reduce their predation risk, possibly leading to niche complementarity between enemies; thus, selection from intraguild predation may lead to enemy complementarity rather than opposing it. As specialized predators that live in or on their hosts, parasitoids are subjected to intraguild predation from generalist predators that consume the parasitoids' hosts. The degree to which parasitoid-predator interactions are ruled by interference versus enemy complementarity has been debated. Here, we address this issue with field experiments in a forest community consisting of multiple species of trees, herbivorous caterpillars, parasitoids, ants, and birds. Our experiments and analyses found no interference effects, but revealed clear evidence for complementarity between parasitoids and birds (not ants). Parasitism rates by hymenopterans and dipterans were negatively associated with bird predation risk, and the variation in the strength of this negative association suggests that this enemy complementarity was due to parasitoid avoidance of intraguild predation. We further argue that avoidance of intraguild predation by parasitoids and other arthropod predators may explain enigmatic patterns in vertebrate-arthropod-plant food webs in a variety of terrestrial ecosystems.

Sublethal effects of chlorfenapyr and acequinocyl on the functional and numerical responses of the predatory mites Phytoseiulus persimilis and Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) feeding on Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae).

Tetranychus urticae Koch, commonly known as two spotted spider mites, is a major agricultural pest that causes significant economic loss. Predatory mites, such as Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot and Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor)are important biological control agents for this pest. However, the efficacy of these predators can be compromised by pesticide application. This study investigated the impact of two acaricides, chlorfenapyr and acequinocyl, on the functional and numerical responses of P. persimilis and N. californicus feeding on T. urticae. Bioassay tests were conducted using a leaf disk dipping method at various pesticides concentrations. Chlorfenapyr exhibited approximately five times higher toxicity than acequinocyl for both predatory mite species and N. californicus exhibited higher tolerance to both acaricides compared to P. persimilis. Functional response experiments assessed the predation rates of 10-day-old predatory mites on different densities of T. urticae nymphs. Analysis of functional response data indicated a Type II response across all treatments. The sublethal concentrations of both acaricides negatively affected the predatory efficiency of both species by reducing attack rate and daily prey consumption and increasing handling times. The numerical response data showed a reduction in egg production correlating with increased pesticide concentrations. Additionally, the efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) decreased with increasing pesticide concentrations. These findings highlight the detrimental effects of pesticides on beneficial arthropods and emphasize the need for integrated pest management strategies that minimize the reliance on chemical control.

Predatory efficiency of six-spotted ladybird beetle, Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius) against the mixed prey densities: a functional response analysis

Predatory efficiency of six-spotted ladybird beetle, Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius) against the mixed prey densities: a functional response analysis

Energy transfer efficiency rather than productivity determines the strength of aquatic trophic cascades.

Trophic cascades are important determinants of food web dynamics and functioning, yet mechanisms accounting for variation in trophic cascade strength remain elusive. Here, we used food chain models and a mesocosm experiment (phytoplankton-zooplankton-shrimp) to disentangle the relative importance of two energetic processes driving trophic cascades: primary productivity and energy transfer efficiency. Food chain models predicted that the strength of trophic cascades was increased as the energy transfer efficiency between herbivore and predator (predator efficiency) increased, while its relationship with primary productivity was relatively weak. These model predictions were confirmed by a mesocosm experiment, which showed that the strength of trophic cascade increased with predator efficiency but remained unaffected by nutrient supply rate or primary productivity. Combined, our results indicate that the efficiency of energy transfer along the food chain, rather than the total amount of energy fixed by primary producers, determines the strength of trophic cascades. Our study provides an integrative perspective to reconcile energetic and population dynamics in food webs, which has implications for both ecological research and ecosystem management.

Predation dynamics of Rhodeus sinensis on Procambarus clarkii larvae: Behavioral patterns and aquatic plant refuge effects in crayfish aquaculture

Non-target fish are frequently present in crayfish aquaculture systems, yet limited research has explored their predatory impacts on crayfish larvae. To address this gap, three experiments were conducted to examine the predation dynamics of Rhodeus sinensis on Procambarus clarkii larvae, focusing on the effects of predator sizes, group sizes, and aquatic plant refuges. In experiment 1, Cox proportional hazards regression model revealed that P. clarkii larvae (8.40 mm and 11.30 mm) faced heightened predation risks from R. sinensis, particularly when the predator’s weight exceeded 2 g. Predation mortality significantly rose with increasing predator size. P. clarkii larvae primarily sought refuge in bottom corners and under heating rods, as indicated by Self-Organizing Map. Experiment 2, analyzed with Bayesian Additive Regression Tree, demonstrated that group predation of R. sinensis significantly enhanced predatory efficiency on larger crayfish larvae, resulting in reduced time to the first attack, increased total number of attacks and extended total attack duration. Experiment 3 disclosed that casualty and mortality rates of crayfish larvae markedly decreased when aquatic plants coverage exceeded 20 %, irrespective of plants types. Under predation pressure, crayfish larvae exhibited a preference for microhabitats on and under aquatic plants, indicating an adaptive behavior in response to predation. These findings underscore the susceptibility of P. clarkii larvae to predation by R. sinensis and suggest maintaining a 20 % aquatic plant coverage as an effective management strategy to mitigate predation risks and support juvenile crayfish survival in aquaculture systems.

Pleiotropic effects of Ebony on pigmentation and development in the Asian multi-coloured ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).

Melanin plays a pivotal role in insect body pigmentation, significantly contributing to their adaptation to diverse biotic and abiotic environmental challenges. Several genes involved in insect melanin synthesis showed pleiotropic effects on insect development and reproduction. Among these, the N-β-alanyl dopamine synthetase gene (Ebony) is integral to the pigmentation process. However, the full spectrum of its pleiotropic impacts is not yet thoroughly understood. In this study, we identified and characterised the HaEbony gene in the Asian multi-coloured ladybird beetle (Harmonia axyridis) and found that HaEbony gene is a conserved gene within the Coleoptera order. We aimed to further explore the multiple roles of HaEbony in the physiology and behaviour in H. axyridis. The CRISPR/Cas9 system was applied to generate multiple HaEbony knockout allele (HaEbony+/-), showing nucleotide deletion in the G0 and G1 generations. Remarkably, the resultant HaEbony+/- mutants consistently displayed darker pigmentation than their wild-type counterparts across larval, pupal and adult stages. Furthermore, these HaEbony+/- individuals (G0) demonstrated an enhanced predatory efficiency, evidenced by a higher number of aphids consumed compared to the wild type. A significant finding was the reduced egg hatchability in both G0 and G1 generations of the HaEbony+/- group, highlighting a potential reproductive fitness cost associated with HaEbony deficiency. In conclusion, our study not only sheds light on the multifaceted roles of HaEbony in H. axyridis but also highlights the potential of employing CRISPR/Cas9-targeted modifications of the Ebony gene. Such genetic interventions could enhance the environmental adaptability and predatory efficacy of ladybirds, presenting a novel strategy in biological control application.

Functional response and control potential of adult Arma chinensis on Colorado potato beetle in Xinjiang, China

Abstract Potato is an important food crop. The Colorado potato beetle (CPB) is its key pest. CPBs are now resistant to several chemical pesticides, making their control more difficult. The predatory insect, Arma chinensis , is a natural enemy of other plant pests. We studied the predation of adult A. chinensis on CPB eggs and young larvae under indoor controlled conditions and its control of CPB in cages under outdoor conditions. Adult A. chinensis effectively reduces CPB egg and larva populations, and its predatory functional response aligns with Holling’s Type II model. A. chinensis adults released within outdoor cages reduced CPB populations. Based on the predation behavior of the adults of A. chinensis to CPB eggs and young larvae, A. chinensis is an efficient and potential predator.

Transfer and biological effects of cadmium along a tomato – thrip – predatory bug food chain

The heavy metal, cadmium (Cd) is an increasingly serious issue in agricultural ecosystems, mediating bottom-up effects on plants, herbivores and natural enemies. We measured how Cd modifies interactions between tomato Solanum lycopersicum, western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis, and the predatory bug Orius sauteri by examining Cd effects on the growth of tomato, the fitness of western flower thrips, and the survival and behavior of predators. The photosynthetic parameters of Pn (net photosynthetic rate), Gs (stomatal conductance), Ci (intercellular CO2 concentration), and Tr (transpiration rate) of tomato plants significantly decreased with the increase of Cd concentration. The total survival number of western flower thrips fed on tomato plants treated with different concentrations of Cd was significantly lower than that of the control, and sex ratios (female/male) gradually increased with the increase of Cd concentration. The numbers of thrips predated by O. sauteri on tomato plants treated with high concentrations of Cd (2.0 or 4.0 mg/L) were significantly reduced by the second day. Cadmium was accumulated and bioconcentrated in the roots, stems, leaves of tomato plants, and transferred to F. occidentalis, and O. sauteri. Cadmium translocated in significant quantities from roots to the stems and leaves of tomato plants, and from the tomato leaf to F. occidentalis. However, there was minimal (non-significant) transfer of Cd from F. occidentalis to O. sauteri. The presence of Cd significantly reduced the growth of tomato plants, the fitness of F. occidentalis, and the predation efficiency of O. sauteri. Collectively, Cd can mediate bottom-up effects on tomato, thrip, and predatory bug along food chain, potentially interrupting pest biological control in tomato in heavy metal-contaminated ecosystems.

Predation Efficiency of Non-Blood Sucking Mosquito Larvae of Toxorhynchites splendens (Weidman) Determined by Kruskal–Wallis One-Way Analysis of Variance by Ranks over Immature Stages of Malaria (Anopheles stephensi), Filariasis (Culex quinquefasciatus)

Predation Efficiency of Non-Blood Sucking Mosquito Larvae of Toxorhynchites splendens (Weidman) Determined by Kruskal–Wallis One-Way Analysis of Variance by Ranks over Immature Stages of Malaria (Anopheles stephensi), Filariasis (Culex quinquefasciatus)

Ecotoxicological insights into the effects of triflumezopyrim on P. fuscipes fitness, detoxification pathways, and gene expression

The primary objective was to evaluate the toxicity of triflumezopyrim (TFP) on P. fuscipes larvae and adults at lethal and sublethal levels through topical application. Sublethal effects were assessed by examining developmental period, fecundity, life-table parameters, and fitness parameters. Enzymatic and transcriptional analyses were conducted to determine the impact of TFP on P. fuscipes physiology and gene expression. The LC50, LC30, and LC10 of TFP against P. fuscipes larvae and adults were lower than the field-recommended dose (48.75 mg a.i. L−1), indicating direct toxicity and sublethal effects during immature stages. Exposure to LC30 of TFP extended developmental periods for 2nd-instar larvae and pupae, reduced oviposition, larval predation efficiency, and body weight in both sexes. Sublethal concentrations affected antioxidant, detoxification, and energy reservoir enzymes significantly. Transcriptional analysis revealed impacts on insecticide detoxification, resistance, and stress-related genes. KEGG analysis showed glycerolipid metabolism is the most regulated pathway, and UGT2B10 regulated several detoxification-related pathways under TFP stress. These findings prompt reconsideration of the role of TFP in paddy field IPM due to its adverse effects on P. fuscipes, emphasizing the importance of assessing its ecological impacts before widespread application in agricultural practices.

Localized and Long-Lasting Adaptation in Dragonfly Target-Detecting Neurons.

Some visual neurons in the dragonfly (Hemicordulia tau) optic lobe respond to small, moving targets, likely underlying their fast pursuit of prey and conspecifics. In response to repetitive targets presented at short intervals, the spiking activity of these "small target motion detector" (STMD) neurons diminishes over time. Previous experiments limited this adaptation by including intertrial rest periods of varying durations. However, the characteristics of this effect have never been quantified. Here, using extracellular recording techniques lasting for several hours, we quantified both the spatial and temporal properties of STMD adaptation. We found that the time course of adaptation was variable across STMD units. In any one STMD, a repeated series led to more rapid adaptation, a minor accumulative effect more akin to habituation. Following an adapting stimulus, responses recovered quickly, though the rate of recovery decreased nonlinearly over time. We found that the region of adaptation is highly localized, with targets displaced by ∼2.5° eliciting a naive response. Higher frequencies of target stimulation converged to lower levels of sustained response activity. We determined that adaptation itself is a target-tuned property, not elicited by moving bars or luminance flicker. As STMD adaptation is a localized phenomenon, dependent on recent history, it is likely to play an important role in closed-loop behavior where a target is foveated in a localized region for extended periods of the pursuit duration.

Analyzing Lamprey Population Growth and Sex Ratio Evolution Through Cellular Automata and Impact of Predation Efficiency and Sex Ratio on Lamprey Populations

Analyzing Lamprey Population Growth and Sex Ratio Evolution Through Cellular Automata and Impact of Predation Efficiency and Sex Ratio on Lamprey Populations

Sublethal Effects of Pyridaben on the Predatory Function of Neoseiulus womersleyi.

Pyridaben is a widely utilized, broad-spectrum contact acaricide, which has notable sublethal effects that impair the predatory capabilities of predatory mites, but the specific mechanisms that affect the predatory functions remain underexplored. When predatory mites hunt for prey, they may rely on Niemann-Pick-type C2 (NPC2) proteins to collect herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) and other odor molecules to locate and pursue their prey. This study elucidated that pyridaben significantly diminished the predatory efficiency and searching behavior of the predatory mite Neoseiulus womersleyi. Key metrics, including predatory capacity (a/Th) and predation rate (a) on various developmental stages of Tetranychus urticae, were markedly reduced in treated mites compared to controls. The searching efficiency (S) also declined proportionally with the increased sublethal dose of pyridaben. A gene linked to olfactive functions, NwNPC2a, was cloned from N. womersleyi. Post-treatment with pyridaben at LC30 and LC50 concentrations resulted in a substantial downregulation of NwNPC2a expression by 60.15% and 58.63%, respectively. Silencing NwNPC2a in N. womersleyi females led to significant reductions in the attack rate (a), handling time (Th), predation efficiency (a/Th), and maximum predation rate (1/Th). The searching efficiency (S) was also lower than that of the control group, displaying a slight decline with the increasing prey density. The findings revealed that pyridaben exerted inhibitory effects on both the predatory function and searching efficiency of N. womersleyi populations. The decrease in predatory performance at LC30 and LC50 concentrations was attributable to the suppression of NwNPC2a gene expression. RNA interference (RNAi) studies corroborated that the NwNPC2a gene plays a critical role in the predation process of N. womersleyi. Thus, the underlying molecular mechanism through which pyridaben compromises the predatory function of N. womersleyi likely involves the downregulation of NwNPC2a expression.

Large-scale fence modifications increase nest survival in sage-grouse

Livestock grazing is the most common land-use practice in aridland ecosystems of the American West. Widespread and long-term declines of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), an umbrella species for other sagebrush-associated vertebrates, has challenged land managers to find solutions to help bolster populations. Livestock grazing infrastructure (e.g., fences) among western rangelands are one potential factor impacting sage-grouse populations as nest survival – a key demographic rate that influences population size – can be 4x higher when placed >100 m away from the nearest fence. We implemented the first-ever long-term (8 years) and large-scale (70 km in length) management action designed to evaluate changes in nest survival related to fence modifications in the Centennial Valley of Montana, USA. Fence modifications included perch deterrents placed atop fence posts to reduce perching by avian nest predators. Additionally, the bottom fence wire was raised to 45 cm from the ground to reduce the funneling of mammalian predators along fences who are in search of carcasses from collisions and/or nests placed near fences. Using a Bayesian statistical framework, we found that fence modifications increased 28-day nest survival within 100 m of mitigated fences by an average of 10.6 % (85 % CRI: 3.7–24.9 %). The difference in survival between fence types was most pronounced for modified fences in low elevations, while modified fences resulted in higher survival rates throughout the nesting season. Our findings suggest that modifying fences designed to reduce the search efficiency of sage-grouse nest predators appear to benefit nest survival in sage-grouse. The highlighted fence modification technique offers practitioners a tool to advance grazing systems that reduce the impacts of grazing infrastructure on greater sage-grouse.

Functional and Numerical Responses of Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to Rhopalosiphum nymphaeae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Their Potential for Biological Control.

The water lily aphid (Rhopalosiphum nymphaeae) is a highly polyphagous herbivore that causes severe damage to many terrestrial and aquatic plants, especially lotus. Due to environmental concerns about water pollution and other issues caused by chemical control methods, there is an urgent need to develop effective and sustainable control methods. The harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) is a well-known aphid predator and may pose a potential threat to R. nymphaeae. To study the predation ability of H. axyridis at different developmental stages on R. nymphaeae, we assessed the functional response, attack rate, and search effect of H. axyridis larvae and adults preying on R. nymphaeae. The numerical response of this process was also evaluated under a constant ladybird-to-aphid ratio and constant aphid density conditions, respectively. Our results showed that all predator stages exhibited type II functional responses. The predation rate of individual H. axyridis on R. nymphaeae nymphs significantly increased as prey density increased. In contrast, the search effect of H. axyridis gradually decreased with an increase in prey density. Meanwhile, H. axyridis at different developmental stages possess varying predation abilities; fourth instar and adult H. axyridis were found to be highly efficient predators of R. nymphaeae. H. axyridis adults exhibited the highest predation ability and predation rate, while both the adult and fourth-instar larvae exhibited the highest attack rate. Moreover, fourth-instar larvae exhibited the highest search effect value at initially lower prey densities, although adults surpassed them at higher prey densities. Our results also indicated that H. axyridis exhibited varying degrees of intraspecific interference and self-interference influence as predator density increases. These results strongly support H. axyridis as an effective biocontrol agent for R. nymphaeae.

DMT-OMPA: Innovative applications of an efficient adversarial Marine Predators Algorithm based on dynamic matrix transformation in engineering design optimization

This paper introduces an innovative variant of the Marine Predators Algorithm (MPA), termed the Dynamic Matrix Transformation-based Oppositional Marine Predators Algorithm (DMT-OMPA), aimed at enhancing the efficiency of engineering optimization strategies. Traditional MPAs have several shortcomings, including insufficient solution diversity and coverage in the initialization phase, a tendency to become trapped in local optima, and inadequate search capabilities in the later stages of iteration, all of which negatively impact the algorithm’s efficiency and effectiveness. To address these issues, the DMT-OMPA incorporates oppositional learning mechanisms and dynamic matrix transformation strategies, significantly enhancing global search capabilities and accelerating convergence speed, particularly in handling complex multidimensional optimization problems.Experimental results on the CEC2013 and CEC2017 test suites demonstrate that DMT-OMPA outperforms other recent MPA variants, various classical algorithm variants, and newly proposed algorithms, verifying its advantages in precision and reliability. Furthermore, the application of this algorithm to various real-world engineering problems substantiates its broad applicability and high efficiency. The study’s findings not only deepen our understanding of swarm intelligence optimization algorithms but also provide a new efficient tool for solving complex engineering problems. The results indicate a promising potential for wider application in diverse fields, suggesting that the DMT-OMPA algorithm could become an effective tool for tackling complex optimization problems in the future.