Phytochemistry, Mode of Action Predictions, and Synergistic Potential of Essential Oil Mixtures for Controlling .

, also known as the yellow fever mosquito, presents a major public health challenge, highlighting the need for effective biorational agents for mosquito control. Here, we investigated the synergistic effects of essential oil mixtures derived from that is a mint-family shrub native to Brazil's Cerrado biome, known as "alecrim do Cerrado", in combination with essential oils from noni (), Brazilian mint ("salva-do-Marajó", ), and lemongrass () against . We conducted phytochemical analyses and assessed larvicidal, repellent, and oviposition deterrent activities.

Artificial intelligence in the mass production of natural enemies for biological control in modern agriculture.

The increasing challenges posed by pest infestations in contemporary agriculture demand sustainable alternatives to conventional pesticides. Biological control (BC), which utilizes natural enemies (NEs) such as predators and parasitoids, offers an eco-friendly approach to pest management. However, large-scale production of NEs faces significant challenges, including high costs, time-consuming processes, and inconsistent quality.

Silver nanoparticles enhance chilli resistance against Colletotrichum capsici through dual antifungal and immunity-inducing mechanisms.

Background: Conventional pesticides pollute the environment by contaminating water reservoirs with harmful residues. This study investigated the potential of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to treat Colletotrichum capsici-induced anthracnose disease in chilli plants. By leveraging the unique chemical and physical characteristics of AgNPs, we evaluated their antifungal efficacy and their roles in boosting plant immunity.

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Dalbulus maidis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in South America.

The corn leafhopper, Dalbulus maidis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) and its associated corn diseases are considered the main production drawback currently faced by maize growers across South America, especially in Brazil. Native to Mexico and historically restricted to tropical America, the species has recently increased its occurrence in temperate areas of the continent, raising the need for a deeper understanding of the genetic basis driving its population dynamics. In this study, we used the partial mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase I (mtCOI) gene to characterize D.

Laterally acquired chitinase genes in venom facilitate parasitism in egg parasitoid wasps.

Parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera) play a crucial role in ecosystems and agroforestry pest management as biological control agents. These wasps utilize venom proteins to suppress host immunity and regulate physiology, facilitating offspring development. Although venom functions have been studied in some parasitoids, their roles in egg parasitoids remain poorly understood.

Mycophagous ladybirds of Macroilleis hauseri: mass-rearing artificial diet development, fungicide-insecticide toxicity assessment and release in orchard of Rosa roxburghii to control powdery mildew.

Background: Mycophagous ladybirds of Macroilleis hauseri play a vital role in the biological control of plant pathogenic fungi. However, little is known about mass-rearing of M. hauseri and its application in agroforestry ecosystems to control powdery mildew in the characteristic plant Rosa roxburghii producing edible medicinal fruits.

Screening and Identification of Salivary Proteins in Triggered by Jasmonic Acid-Mediated Defense of Kidney Bean Plants.

has caused serious damage to horticultural plants and vegetables. However, the role of its salivary proteins remains unclear. Transcriptome sequencing identified 510 differentially expressed genes in fed on jasmonic acid (JA)-treated versus water-treated kidney bean plants, primarily involved in carbohydrate metabolism and secondary metabolite pathways.

Salivary effectors Fomyr6 and Foαglu1 facilitate Frankliniella occidentalis in overcoming the defense of kidney bean plant.

Background: Frankliniella occidentalis (western flower thrips, WFT), a highly destructive polyphagous pest, has evolved sophisticated mechanisms to overcome plant defenses. Salivary effectors play a crucial role in this process. In this study, we investigated the promotion effects of two candidate effectors (Fomyr6 and Foαglu1) previously identified in F.

A Novel Neotropical Strain Inhibits Soil-Borne Plant Pathogens and Promotes Soybean Growth.

Soil-borne fungal pathogens such as spp., spp., and spp.

Multi-omics analyses provide molecular insights into host immune responses and metabolic disruption in Spodoptera frugiperda parasitized by Pyemotes zhonghuajia.

Background: Host-parasitoid interactions are intricate biological processes in which the host's immune system mounts diverse physiological responses to counter parasitic infection. This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the molecular responses underlying the parasitism of the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) by Pyemotes zhonghuajia, a parasitic mite with promising potential as a biocontrol agent.

Results: Using an integrated multi-omics approach-combining lipidomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics-we examined the effects of P.

RNAi of Ago1 and Ago2 Disrupts Molting in the White-Backed Planthopper (Sogatella furcifera).

Argonaute (Ago) proteins are integral components of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), regulate gene expression through RNAi, and are essential for embryogenesis and cellular morphogenesis in insects. However, today, little is known about their role in the molting development of insects. In this study, we have used the white-backed planthopper (Sogatella furcifera) as an important model and pest in agriculture, and we characterized and investigated the role of Ago-1 and Ago-2.

Antifungal activities and underlying mechanisms of carvacrol against Neopestalotiopsis saprophytica causing leaf brown spot in Rosa roxburghii.

Background: Rosa roxburghii produces a distinctive edible fruit renowned for its high vitamin C content and medicinal properties. Leaf brown spot is a newly identified fungal disease in R. roxburghii, causing considerable production losses in southwest China.

Genome identification of C-type lectins in Bactrocera dorsalis and functional characterization of BdCTL-S12 with a broad-spectrum pathogen recognition.

Background: Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a highly adaptable invasive pest that causes significant economic losses. Long-term chemical control strategies have led to high levels of insecticide resistance and severe environmental risks. C-type lectins (CTLs), key pattern recognition receptors in insect innate immunity, are named for their calcium-dependent carbohydrate recognition domains (CRDs) and they play a critical role in detecting and binding to foreign pathogens.

Propolis Stands out as a Multifaceted Natural Product: Meta-Analysis on Its Sources, Bioactivities, Applications, and Future Perspectives.

Honeybee ( spp.) products have been used for centuries due to their nutritional value and diverse healing properties. Propolis, produced by honeybees, is a unique resin collected from tree buds, sap flows, and other plant exudates, which is then mixed with bee enzymes, beewax, and secretions.

Knockdown of farnesyl pyrophosphate synthetase gene TuFPPS by RNAi extends quiescent period and halts molting of the spider mite, Tetranychus urticae.

In insects, farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS), a pivotal enzyme in the mevalonate pathway, is crucial in the juvenile hormone (JH)/methyl farnesoate (MF) biosynthesis pathway, particularly regulating the molting process. However, its role in the post-embryonic development and molting in Acari remains unclear. This study therefore investigated the function of TuFPPS in the deutonymphal stage of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, an important pest in agriculture.

Volatile organic compounds released from cabbage plants infested with wingless green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) attracts more conspecifics.

Background: Plants release a diverse array of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that play a role in interactions with other plants and arthropod herbivores. The potential of using plants that emit either repellent or attractive VOCs to help managing insect populations have been shown. However, the response of the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae), a major sucking insect pest worldwide, to VOCs from cabbage and infested with conspecific remains unknown.

Effect of sublethal doses of chlorantraniliprole on the activity of detoxification and protective enzymes in Galleria Mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

Galleria mellonella Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a pest that feeds on the spleen of honey bee nests worldwide. In this study, the toxicity of chlorantraniliprole (CAP) to G. mellonella was determined by ingestion toxicity and contact toxicity methods.

Multiple Antennal Sensory Membrane Neuron Protein Genes Mediate Rice Plant Host Location in the White-Backed Planthopper.

While the sensory neuron membrane protein (SNMP) family has been linked to sex pheromone detection, roles in other olfactory-associated and nonolfactory functions have not been as well-defined. In this study, four SNMP genes were identified for the white-backed planthopper (; WBPH), a major pest of rice plants. Tissue-specific transcriptomic data indicated that all four are not only expressed in the antennae to varying levels but also observed in several non-olfactory tissues.

Silicon-coated carbon quantum dots composite nanomaterials mediate pest resistance activation in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum).

Background: Plant resistance inducers based on nanomaterials (NMs) are a cutting-edge and promising field of interdisciplinary research, focused on developing environmentally and ecologically friendly alternatives for protecting crops. Studies have shown that NMs composed of silicon (SiO) and carbon quantum dots (CDs) can help plants better withstand various environmental and pest-related stresses.

Results: We synthesized and characterized SiO-coated CDs (SiO@CDs) NMs that were found to be absorbed by tobacco leaves.

The competing endogenous RNA lnc94641-miR957-3p mediates male fertility in Zeugodacus cucurbitae Coquillett.

Background: Insect spermatogenesis is a complex process. Numerous genes are involved in sperm motility, which is crucial for male fertility. Few long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the testis regulate insect spermatogenesis.

Adipokinetic Hormones and Their Receptor Regulate the Locomotor Behavior in .

The regulation of locomotor behavior is essential for insects to perform their life activities. The central nervous system plays a pivotal role in modulating physiological behaviors, particularly movement, with neuropeptides serving as key modulators of these processes. Among these, adipokinetic hormone (AKH) was originally identified in insects as a neurohormone involved in lipid mobilization.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated vitellogenin receptor knockout impairs vitellogenin uptake and reproduction in Bactrocera dorsalis.

Background: Reproduction is a critical process in the insect life cycle, with the ovary serving as the central organ responsible for population maintenance. Successful development of the ovary is dependent on vitellogenin (Vg) transport into oocytes via the vitellogenin receptor (VgR). Exploring the VgR function is crucial for understanding the physiological mechanisms of insect ovarian development.

Identification and characterization of Spätzle in Myzus persicae and its role during microbial infection.

As a Toll receptor ligand, Spätzle (Spz) plays a crucial role in activating the Toll pathway and participating in the innate immune response of insects. However, the immune function of Spz in Myzus persicae remains poorly understood. In this study, we identified and cloned 7 Spz genes from M.

Consortia of Bacillus sp. LY05 and Bacillus cereus LGY06 immobilized on coconut shell charcoal remediates pendimethalin and cadmium contaminated sites in-situ and alleviates peanut's continuous cropping obstacles.

The use of artificial addition of microbial consortia into soils is a key strategy to simultaneously alleviate the common contamination and continuous cropping obstacles. This study established the coconut shell charcoal (CSC) LY05 +LGY06 by immobilizing Bacillus sp. LY05 and B.

Deciphering the intricacies of chlorantraniliprole, azadirachtin and uniconazole interactions with fall armyworm in maize: a comprehensive analysis through transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling.

Background: Maize is a critically important world staple food, yet its productivity is exposed to a notorious invasive pest of the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda). To discern the transgenerational effects and potential pest control efficacy, we evaluated chlorantraniliprole, azadirachtin, and uniconazole on S. frugiperda development, reproduction, metabolome, and larval transcriptome.