Understanding the prey preference of polyphagous predators is important to enhance their benefits as biocontrol agents. Two predators, Macrolophus basicornis (Stål) and Engytatus varians (Distant) (both Hemiptera: Miridae), attacking eggs of the two lepidopteran pests Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) were assessed under

To understand the molecular mechanism of Pardosa laura in response to beta-cypermethrin (beta-CP) stress, next generation RNA-seq technique was employed to analyse the expression patterns of resistance- and stress-response genes in P. laura subjected to beta-CP. De novo sequence assembly yielded 49,003 unigenes, 20,912 of which were annotated in the public databases. A total of 370 up or down-regulated

Dipteran flies are important ectoparasites of cattle that causes economic losses by virtue of their ability to cause annoyance, blood loss, and act as a vector of widespread diseases. The abundance of dipteran flies affecting the dairy population is poorly documented in India and the present study was planned to investigate the diversity and seasonal abundance of dipteran flies in and around Bhubaneswar

Plutella xylostella is a destructive cabbage pest responsible for huge economic losses. Heavy and continuous application of synthetic pesticides to control this pest has resulted in numerous environmental issues. Thus, discovering alternative methods to control P. xylostella, with reduced harmful effects has become crucial. In the present study we investigated the antifeedant activities and contact

Arthropods are indispensable because of their role in the food chain and in the recycling of ecosystem resources. The objective of the study was to assess the diversity and abundance of soil arthropods in selected habitats in northwestern Ethiopia. Soil arthropod taxa richness and abundance were estimated using transect sampling from January 2019 to May 2020. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance

The Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) commonly known as red flour beetle is the most damaging secondary pest of cereal grains because it consumes less and spoils more grains by causing grain heating during storage. The present research is conducted for determination of toxicity of insect growth regulators (IGRs) and Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) (Vuillemin, Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae)

Green lacewing, Pseudomallada astur (Banks) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is a potential predator of the invasive rugose spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) infesting coconut palms. A meridic diet for its mass production was standardized. Highest fecundity (393 eggs), larval hatch (324.60 larvae), pupation (279.20 pupae), male longevity (23.25 days) and female

The present experiment was conducted at a constant temperature of 25 ± 0.5 °C, 70 ± 5 per cent relative humidity and 14L: 10D photoperiod on French bean, Phaseolus vulgaris cv. contender plants in the Biocontrol Laboratory of the Department of Entomology, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India. The study revealed that Encarsia formosa exhibited a

The current study was carried out to evaluate eco-friendly extracts of an invasive weed; Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms (Pontederiaceae) for controlling Agrotis ipsilon (Hufn.) (Lepidotera: Noctuidae). The insecticidal and biological activities of the whole plant extracts with different polarity solvents (petroleum ether, acetone, and absolute ethanol) were investigated. The extracts were evaluated

Banana plant provides highly nutritional and medicinal valued fruit, flower, central core stem as food and more economic value. However, during banana cultivation famers face problems with insect pests, which cause heavy economic losses throughout the world. The present study is concerned with the monitoring and management aspects of the most important pseudostem weevil (Odoiporus longicollis) of banana

In recent years, the mealybug (Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley) has severely damaged the production of custard apple in north-eastern part of Bangladesh. Field and laboratory experiments were conducted at Baniachong, Jagannathpur and Sylhet Sadar Upazilas of Hobiganj, Sunamganj and Sylhet districts, respectively. The research was carried out from 2016 to 2019 for documenting the present status of mealybug

Locust is the main pest endangering Chinese agriculture and even global agriculture. Therefore, the development of an efficient and real-time locust monitoring technology is of great significance to the prevention and management of locust disasters. Video monitoring technology has been widely used in locust monitoring, but the different postures of locusts in the field and the problem of plant shelter

Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister is an effective biocontrol agent of Parthenium hysterophorus L. We evaluated the variability in reproductive attributes and diapause behaviour among populations of Z. bicolorata from six geographical locations of India, viz. Jammu, Poonch, Rajouri, Almora, Jabalpur and Coimbatore. This was done to optimize its augmentative rearing. We collected the adult insects from

This study aimed to detect the incidence, seasonal variation, age susceptibility of domestic pigeon to P. canariensis as well as ultra-morphological and molecular identification of circulating species (spp.) in Egypt. To achieve this aim; different pigeon premises in El- Gharbia governorate were investigated to correlate the findings with environmental factors responsible for parasitism. A total of

Pesticides are used to control Tetranychus urticae Koch populations in country bean, Dolichos lablab (L.). The results of using pesticides are more predictable if there is detailed information about their toxicity and specificity. In particular, the degree of pesticide exposure is associated with the adult stages of T. urticae and natural enemies, while determining the overall efficacy of pesticide

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is one of the main pests of corn and other economically important crops worldwide. Pheromone traps can be used for monitoring and mass trapping S. frugiperda males. Trap design is an important component of a monitoring system or mass trapping system, along with the attractant. In this study, we evaluated the performance and efficiency of several home-made

Mosquito responds to various insecticides in the presence of environmental factors which is very important to consider in vector management as these factors affect both mosquito behavior and efficacy of insecticides. The current study aims to examine the impact of high temperatures and Bti insecticide on the biochemical profile of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Late third instar larvae

Cephalopina titillator had adverse effects on the camel health such as difficult breathing, reduction of milk production, fertility, and tissue damage. Therfore; this study aimed to describe of the fine ultrastructure of the adult fly and different stages of larvae using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The larvae collected from the slaughtered camel at Cairo slaughter-house from January

Essential oils may provide green and safe alternatives to currently used fumigants and insecticides for the management of stored-product insects. This study reports the chemical analysis and fumigant toxicity of 10 essential oils against Tribolium confusum. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation. The chemical profile of essential oils was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The influence of different dates of sowing and various weather variables was studied on some major insect pests attacking the economically important castor crop. The susceptible castor hybrid DCH 177 was cultivated on six different dates of sowing at fortnightly interval during May–August, 2018. Crop sown during late May and first fortnight of June (i.e., the “very early sowing” and the “the early

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the major staple food and cereal crop in all over the world as well as in Pakistan. Agriculture sector contributes 18.9% to Gross Domestic Product and plays an important role in the economy. There are many biotic and abiotic factors responsible for reduced wheat productivity. Many insect pests are associated with wheat which attack on different stages of crop

Regular monitoring of insecticide resistance among vector mosquitoes and their mechanism are very important for formulation of effective vector control measures. Insecticide resistance developed due to metabolic resistance which is mediated by the enhanced production of different detoxifying enzymes resulting in sequestration or biodegradation of insecticides. Present study was designed to assess any

The present study aimed to investigate the lethal effects of ultrasonic sound frequencies, which are thought to cause resonance on Culex (Cx.) pipiens, Linneaus, 1758 larvae. Modern integrated pest management (IPM) programs combine biological, cultural, and/or chemical methods to control populations of this pest. Ultrasonic sound waves are used in many fields for pest control. This study was conducted

The diversity, abundance and ecological distribution of dry date (Phoenix dactylifera L. (Arecales: Arecaceae)) pests and associated natural enemies were investigated along with date infestation rates, fruit damage levels and existing correlations in Zaria, northern Guinea Savannah Agroecological Zone (nGSAZ), Nigeria. Dry dates (three cultivars: Dan-Agadez, Dan-Hausa and Deglet) were sampled in eight

Pediculosis capitis is an ectoparasitosis in which Pediculus humanus capitis (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) infest the human scalp. Infestation is confirmed by the presence of adults, nymphs, or viable eggs (nits). The unhatched eggs of head louse is occupied with an embryo, brownish, and has ovoid construction with a curved end. Nit can be misdiagnosed with hair cast, which are thin, amorphous, extended

A combination of intra-row spacing, sowing date, and pesticides on M. vitrata was carried out during the rainy seasons of 2015 and 2016 respectively in Katsina, towards developing an integrated pest management on cowpea. The experiment was laid out using split-split plot design. Intra-row spacing and sowing date were respectively allocated to the main and sub-plots while pesticides consisting of biopesticides

Studies were conducted to broaden the current knowledge on seasonality, richness, abundance, and role of syrphids flies in the greenhouse pepper agroecosystem (GPA) in northwestern Argentina. In the GPA, a great richness (54 species) and abundance (517 individuals) of syrphids were found within Syrphinae (40 species; 443 individuals) and Eristalinae (14 species; 74 individuals) subfamilies. Besides

Insect specimens morphologically similar to bed bugs were collected from Indigenous Tribe (Orang Asli) Village RPS Kemar, Perak, Malaysia. The insects were tentatively identified as Cimex hemipterus based on the measurement of the ratio of width and height of pronotum. To further confirm the species of the insects, parts of the Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I (CO1) and the 16S rRNA (16S) genes were amplified

Aedes aegypti L. and Culex quinquefasciatus Say, which are the major vectors of dengue and yellow fever, respectively, could be managed in an effective way by targeting their immature stages. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of interspecific competition between Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus on their fitness and biology. This experiment consisted of three treatments: Ae. aegypti

Application of broad spectrum synthetic insecticides can disrupt the success of beneficial insects along with resurgence of pest because of their toxic effects on biocontrol agents. The sustainable pest management in agro-ecosystem demands parallel assessment of toxic impact of insecticides to target pests and their key biocontrol agents before integrating them with insecticide use in crops. Here sub-lethal

The cabbage butterfly (Pieris brassicae L.) is a major insect pest of cabbage in Pakistan. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (at 1500 infective juvenile/ ml concentraction), Steinerma glaseri (at 1500 infective juvenile/ ml concentration), H. bacteriophora + S. glaseri (at 1500 infective juvenile/ ml concentration), Xenorhabdus spp., (at 4 × 1012 concentration) Photorhabdus spp., (at 4 × 1012 concentration)

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) transmit pathogens causing some diseases like Crimean–Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Lyme disease and Q fever. The most common method for tick control is the use of chemical acaricides, which harmful to animals, humans and the environment. The intense use of these products has also led to acaricide resistance in many tick species. Although there have been many resistance studies,

Larvae of aphidophagous ladybirds attack vulnerable stages, such as eggs of conspecific and heterospecific species during prey scarcity, especially when the aphid colony is declining. We investigated food-preference of all four larval instars of ladybirds, viz. Propylea dissecta (Mulsant), Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius) and Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus, towards various egg-diets and the

The biotic and abiotic factors of an ecosystem exert an influence on the behavior and survival of organisms, which adapt to changes in these factors to ensure their reproduction and survival. Phenotypic plasticity regards any type of change induced by the environment without the need for genetic modifications. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the investment of the antlion, Myrmeleon

The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), is one of the major threats to tomato production. Larvae can cause losses of more than 80% of production. It was officially detected for the first time in West Africa in 2012, in Senegal, and was subsequently reported in most countries in this part of the continent. To identify infested vegetable production areas and determine reservoir plants

Decent and healthy growth of plants in soil is related to the soil medium's physical and chemical properties. Plants also display diverse defense reactions and growth curves against the insects that feed on their sap. In this study, vegetative growth parameters, chemical and physical content changes of soil and plant, and population density of the aphid, Cinara cedri, on Cedar (Cedrus libani L.) seedlings

Studies have revealed that the genus Pheidole (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) is the most diverse group of ants and highly distributed around the globe. Species delimitation through DNA-based approaches has lately received increased attention to overcome the taxonomic hurdle. This study reassessed the morphology and barcode Pheidole rugaticeps Emery and Pheidole decarinata Santschi collected in Nigeria. P

Studies determining biodiversity along elevation during past two decades have generated considerable data on altitudinal diversity of many animal and plant taxa. Pakistan’s contribution to such investigations mainly comprises diversity of some plant communities and few hexapods. The present work was conducted to evaluate diversity of aphids, an economically and ecologically important taxon, along elevation

Butterflies play an important role in agroforestry landscapes mainly for performing essential ecosystem services viz, pollination and maintaining prey–predatory relationships. Despite these benefits, the diversity and functional role of butterfly in agroforestry system has been poorly reported. Therefore, in this study, butterfly diversity was assessed in a circular multifunctional agroforestry system

The aim of this study was to investigate the host stage preference and functional response of Diaeretiella rapae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) reared on Schizaphis graminum (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Firstly, host stage preference was determined under choice and no-choice tests. The parasitoid showed a preference for second instar nymphs of S. graminum in both choice and no-choice tests. Secondly, functional

Apis cerana is widely adapted to vast areas that stretch from Russia to Sundaland (Indonesia) through Palawan in the Philippines. By using mitochondrial DNA of the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COX1) gene, the cytochrome oxidase subunit 2 (COX2) gene, and the COX1-COX2 intergenic regions (IGS), as well as the nuclear major royal jelly protein 2 (mrjp2) gene, we aimed to explore the number of new haplotypes

Combined action of various inert dusts (diatomaceous earth DE and zeolite) and microbial insecticides (abamectin and spinetoram) was evaluated against Trogoderma granarium Everts at Grain Research Training and Storage Management Cell, department of Entomology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan during the year 2018–19. Doses were 750 ppm in case of inert dusts and 1 ppm in case of insecticides

The destructive aphid (Sitobion avenae) of wheat, generally accomplished by chemical pesticides, is responsible for the substantial agricultural damages that occur annually. The present experimental study, a protein elicitor, PeBL1, has been examined for the possibility of inducing a defense response to S. avenae in wheat. In comparison to the positive (Water) and negative 70.58 μg ml−1 (50 mM Tris–HCl

The search for relatively safe pesticides to control pests continues to reduce the damage they cause and avoid the negative effects of pesticides on the environment. The red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, is the most dangerous pest on palm trees of all kinds, especially in arid areas. Ivermectin (IVM), an analog of abamectin, shows physiological efficacy against insects at very low concentrations

Bees can be contaminated with pesticides in agricultural areas during foraging; however, effects of pesticides on stingless bee species are not well studies. Thus, this research evaluated the toxic effects of the insecticide chlorpyrifos, acaricide cyflumetofen and the fungicide difenoconazole for Tetragonisca angustula exposed in different means of exposure to pesticides under laboratory conditions

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-021-00548-x

The extracts obtained from Neem tree (Azadirachta indica) have been worldwide used indigenously as an insect pest antifeedant, and are known to be used by traditional medicine practitioners. The study was undertaken to investigate the impact of the synthetic pesticides and neem plant extracts on pollinators and crop yield of Pigeon Peas (Cajanus Cajan), and usage of the neem extracts on the field for

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is an important crop as a source of basic protein for populations in tropical countries, generating profit after the processing and storage of grains. However, the attack of pests such as cowpea weevil Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) can limit the production of cowpea, with the insect causing qualitative and quantitative losses to the grains

Declining biodiversity is receiving much attention around the world and green spaces in urban areas can help enhance biodiversity by creating habitat for living organisms especially from the class Insecta. Insects maintain biodiversity on earth and play a key role in the regulation as well as dynamics of many ecosystem services. Insect conservation especially in urban areas can be done by protecting

Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a noctuid moth from the Americas with a broad host range that threatens a range of important crops. It consists of two morphologically indistinguishable strains (‘corn’ and ‘rice’) that have different host plant preferences. It was detected for the first time in Australia in 2020 following its rapid dispersal through Africa and Asia. Species identification of

The parasitoid wasp, Eretmocerus delhiensis Mani (Hym., Aphelinidae), is an active ecto-endo and solitary parasitoid in southwestern Iran. To evaluate Er. delhiensis as a biocontrol agent against the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (Hem., Aleyrodidae) its host stage preference for parasitism and host-feeding was investigated. In this study, choice (multiple-instar) and no-choice

The present study focused on the preparation of nanoemulsions of three organophosphorus compounds (chlorpyrifos-methyl, diazinon, and malathion) as insecticides against larvae of the cotton leafworm (Spodoptera littoralis). Oil-in-Water (O/W) nanoemulsions were prepared by the ultrasonication method and characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) for droplet

Bees are acknowledged as a key, beneficial element in agriculture because of the pollination service they provide. Thus, great conservation efforts are carried out to protect them. On the other hand, insect pests cause important economic loses by, among other things, forcing producers to finance strategies aimed to reduce their populations. What if bees started causing some sort of damage? Should we

The evolution of resistance to the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins by insect pests is a major threat to Bt technology. However, the rate of resistance can be slowed with appropriate integrated insect resistance management (IRM) strategies. Surveys were conducted to identify alternate host species for Maruca vitrata (commonly called the legume pod borer or Maruca) that could serve as refuges for

The antagonistic effect of Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pf) against soil borne fungal pathogen and reproductive toxicity of Pf to silkworm, Bombyx mori L. was studied. The antagonistic property of Pseudomonas fluorescens isolates viz., Pseudomonas fluorescens 5 (Pf 5), Pseudomonas fluorescens 18 (Pf 18) and Pseudomonas fluorescens 25 (Pf 25) was evaluated by in vitro dual culture method against soil-borne

Monoterpenes, phenylpropenes and sesquiterpenes are the major constituents of essential oils of many aromatic plants and possess a wide spectrum of biological activities. In this study, the effect of eleven monoterpenes, phenylpropenes and sesquiterpenes on larval and pupal duration, pupation, pupal weight, adult emergence, fecundity and fertility of Spodoptera littoralis were evaluated. Results showed

A cistellata on mango is one of the major problem throughout northern India. It is a devastating pest which led to the formation of galls in place of apical and axillary buds, later resulted into the inhibition of inflorescence and drying up of affected branches. The study was carried out during the year 2016 to 2018 at Horticulture Research Centre, Patharchatta, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture