In pyrrhocorids, digestion of food occurs mainly in the midgut, which is divided into four parts (M1-M4), and takes between three and four days. Food is retained in M1 for about 5 h and passes quickly through M4. However, food is retained in M2 and M3 much longer, about 70 to 90 h. The different stages in digestion may be influenced by different microbial populations in the different parts of the midgut. In the present study, the microbiota in the four parts of the midgut of Pyrrhocoris sibiricus were analysed in detail using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA V3-V4 region. The most abundant bacteria in M3 were Actinobacteria (Coriobacteriaceae) whereas it was Proteobacteria (gammaproteobacteria) in M1, M2 and M4. Actinobacteria was the second most abundant bacterial group in M2. According to the PCA analysis, M2 and M3 have the most similar bacterial communities. Burkholderia, which is closely related to the plant-associated beneficial and environmental (PBE) group, was also found in M1, M2 and M4. Predictive functional profiles of the metagenomes revealed that metabolism mostly occurred in M2 and M3. The PICRUSt results were consistent with the 16S rRNA metagenomic analysis and indicate that the bacteria in M2 and M3 play an important role in degrading complex dietary components.

The New World genus Mumetopia Melander, 1913 is redefined, redescribed and its relationships are discussed. Its Nearctic type species, M. occipitalis Melander, 1913, is revised with lectotype designation, redescribed and illustrated in detail, and its relationship, biology and distribution are treated using published and numerous new data. A new genus, Xerocomyza gen. n., is described for X. hansoni sp. n., an unusual species from high desert plains in Utah (U.S.A.), and its phylogenetic relationships are discussed: Xerocomyza is recognized as a separate lineage of Anthomyzidae most probably allied to the Carexomyza + Chamaebosca group clade (sensu Barber & Roháček, 2020, Arthropod Syst. Phylogeny 78: 69-109). Biology and distribution of X. hansoni are given on the basis of limited label data from type specimens.

This study investigates the abundance and diversity of diurnal butterflies in two types of forest habitats - a degraded cedar forest and a protected cedar forest - located in Djurdjura National Park, Algeria. The survey was conducted over a one-year period, from April 2022 to March 2023. A total of 1,479 individuals, belonging to 48 species, were recorded. Among them, 13% are endemic to North Africa. The primary factor contributing to the degradation of the cedar forest in Djurdjura National Park appears to be repeated wildfires. Nevertheless, the clearings created by fire may temporarily promote floral diversity and, consequently, butterfly richness. The results reveal complex interactions between butterflies, habitat quality, and seasonal variations. No clear segregation was observed between butterfly communities in the two cedar forest types, although some species exhibited distinct ecological preferences: Celastrina argiolus, Zygaena algira, Tomares ballus, Zygaena trifolii, and Pyronia cecilia were more associated with the degraded cedar forest, whereas Pyrgus alveus, Zerynthia rumina, Pararge aegeria, and Issoria lathonia were linked to the protected forest. However, further analyses are required to confirm their status as reliable bioindicators. The study also demonstrates that butterfly abundance varies significantly with the seasons, peaking in summer, highlighting the critical influence of climatic conditions. These findings could contribute to the enrichment of protected species lists in Algeria and North Africa, as well as to the maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

The velvetbean caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis, is one of the major insect pests causing defoliation in soybean crops. Alternative strategies have been explored to reduce insect damage, including the use of protease inhibitors (PIs) that act as anti-nutritional factors. The tripeptide GORE-2, designed based on the soybean SKTI PI, exhibits enhanced protease inhibitory activity and reduces caterpillar survival. To investigate the molecular response to these PIs, we analyzed gene expression profiles using RNA-Seq. Both SKTI and GORE-2 induced extensive transcriptional reprogramming in the midgut after 24 h of exposure. The response patterns were generally similar, with changes in the expression of genes encoding digestive proteases and defense-related proteins, particularly those involved in peritrophic matrix protection and regeneration. However, SKTI elicited a more robust activation of defense signaling pathways, suggesting a stronger ability to trigger protective responses. This may explain the greater efficacy of GORE-2 in inhibiting proteolysis and reducing caterpillar survival potentially involving both amino acid starvation signaling and broader perception mechanisms developed to detect soybean-derived deterrents. As a mimetic tripeptide, GORE-2 may engage these pathways less efficiently. Notably, genes associated with detoxification and oxidative stress were more highly expressed in response to GORE-2, highlighting an additional advantage of using synthetic or mimetic protease inhibitors.

The insect biodiversity crisis affects diverse cultural landscapes as well as natural and semi-natural habitats. Accordingly, the effectiveness of protected areas in conserving insect communities needs to be evaluated. We employed photo-interpretation of aerial photographs from the past (1938-1947) and present (2014-2019) to analyse changes in natural habitats with diverse canopy cover in seven long-term protected areas (jointly called 'reserves') in the Czech Republic, Central Europe, and evaluated potential links between these changes and butterfly and moth (Lepidoptera) declines. We observed a marked decrease in habitat heterogeneity, largely due to the expansion of closed-canopy forests at the expense of semi-open habitats (e.g. forest steppes, open woodlands) and open grasslands. An analysis of faunistic records of 162 species of butterflies and 160 species of macro-moths before and after 2000 showed that, on average, the reserves have experienced losses of 26% of butterfly species and 19% of moth species. Trait-based analyses suggested that the losses were associated with particular life-history traits. Non-generalist butterflies with a short period of seasonal flight activity, and moths associated with grasslands and with non-feeding adults, had a greater probability of going missing (meaning potentially locally extinct) in the reserves. These findings suggest that conservation efforts should prioritise active management that aims to restore habitat heterogeneity in order to mitigate the ongoing trend of insect decline.

The scale insect family Rhizoecidae in Germany has historically been documented as comprising six species from two genera: Rhizoecus albidus Goux, 1942, Rhizoecus cacticans (Hambleton, 1946), Rhizoecus franconiae Schmutterer, 1956, Ripersiella caesii (Schmutterer, 1956), Ripersiella halophila (Hardy, 1868), and Ripersiella hibisci (Kawai & Takagi, 1971). To assess changes in this biodiversity, we collected 37 samples from potted plants across the botanical gardens of Berlin, Bonn, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Munich. Species identifications were conducted using integrative taxonomy, combining morphological analysis of slide-mounted specimens, molecular data from the COI region, and ecological information. Our study identified eight species: Geococcus coffeae Green, 1933, Rhizoecus arabicus Hambleton, 1976, Rh. cacticans, Rhizoecus dianthi Green, 1926, Rhizoecus nemoralis (Hambleton, 1946), Rhizoecus falcifer Kunckel d'Herculais, 1878, Rhizoecus simplex (Hambleton, 1946) and Ripersiella aloes (Williams & Pellizzari, 1997). Except for Rh. cacticans, all are newly recorded for Germany, increasing the total German Rhizoecidae fauna to 13 species across three genera. We provide detailed morphometric redescriptions for Rh. arabicus, Rh. franconiae, Rh. simplex, and Ri. caesii based on type material, along with morphological notes for the other species. The study also resolves nomenclatural issues for Rh. franconiae and Ri. hibisci designating Lectotypes and reports 61 new host records for eight species. We present a taxonomic key for the updated list of Rhizoecidae species recorded in Germany. This research significantly revises the understanding of rhizoecid diversity in the country, revealing that the fauna is more than twice as rich as previously known.

We studied the vulnerable Scarce Large Blue butterfly (Phengaris teleius) population in loosely connected wet grasslands in southern Slovenia. Our goal was to understand the distribution and demographic traits of this population within the Seasonal Lakes of Pivka Nature Park (KP PPJ). From 2021 to 2022, we mapped suitable habitat patches in KP PPJ with the larval host plant Sanguisorba officinalis and host ant Myrmica spp. Out of eight identified potential patches, five were inhabited for at least one year. Our dispersal model, using an inverse-power function, indicated that all but one suitable patch could be connected by migrations of at least 1% of either sex, suggesting a metapopulation structure. The clustered habitat distribution (nearest neighbour index = 0.14) highlights the role of each patch as a "stepping stone" within the system. We also assessed demographic parameters in a subset of three patches: Klenik, Kalec, and Zagorje. In 2021, mark-release-recapture estimated the populations in two inhabited patches (Klenik, Kalec) at 197 males (95% CI: 159-265) and 315 females (95% CI: 205-525), showing a female-biased sex ratio (males : females = 1 : 1.6). We recorded a relatively long average life span (4.4 and 8.4 days for males and females, respectively) and a weak protandry, however about three-quarters of the population was present simultaneously, mainly in the largest patch (Klenik: > 85%). Recorded demographic traits (female-biased sex ratio, long lifespan, simultaneous peaks of both sexes, and high dispersal) support the persistence of this metapopulation. However, conservation efforts and a denser network of suitable patches are crucial to maintain its viability at this range's southern edge.

Body mass is an important morphological trait, which is associated with the physiology and ecology of insects. In the past, estimates of body mass were often based on general mathematical equations in which body mass was related to linear measurements of anatomical structures. For example, in female bees, estimates of dry body mass are expected to follow a non-linear relationship (power function) with the distance between the tegulae on their thorax, also known as the intertegular distance (ITD). Nonetheless, a major group of bees not included in previous studies are the Neotropical orchid bees of which mostly males are collected. We investigated whether a similar non-linear relationship is also the case for male orchid bees and we found positive evidence as the relationship can be represented by a power function providing reliable estimate of dry body mass. This is particularly important for estimating dry body mass of individuals stored in collections.

Historical samples from museum and private collections can serve as a time machine, allowing us to follow changes in genetic composition through time as well as obtaining genomic data on past biodiversity. Thus, genetic data from collections (museomics) are increasingly being utilized in scientific studies. However, although several different DNA extraction techniques have been used successfully in insect museomics, direct comparisons between methods are uncommon. It is therefore unclear to what extent simple adjustments of DNA extraction protocols can increase yields. This is especially important when analysing museum specimens that are decades or even hundreds of years old with low endogenous DNA content. Here, we first compared two recommended protocols which include the widely used QIAamp DNA Micro Kit or the Monarch PCR & DNA Cleanup Kit, respectively. We found that the Monarch kit performed substantially better than the QIAamp kit in terms of yield. We then compared various lysis temperatures, the effect of non-destructive versus destructive lysis, and the relative yield from a second round of extraction using the Monarch kit. We evaluated our results both by measurements of DNA concentration and fragment length and results from low coverage whole genome sequencing. We found that a lysis temperature of 42°C performed better than either 56°C or 37°C, using a lysis time of approximately 20 h. Destructive extraction increased yield in some species, and a second round of non-destructive extraction can substantially increase total yield. Finally, we used our selected Monarch kit protocol to extract DNA from legs of 492 additional butterfly specimens (23-128 years old) and 21 small wasp specimens. We observed virtually no effects of specimen age on the amount of DNA extracted or the endogenous DNA content, while older specimens yielded slightly shorter lengths of sequenced fragments. The DNA extraction procedure worked well for specimens up to 128 years of age and we would expect this to be the case for substantially older specimens, which would enable successful DNA extraction from the vast majority of dried insects in collections.

Stable reference genes (RGs) determine the reliability of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analyses and it is recommended that different reference genes are used for different types of DNA and tissues. The present study aimed to screen for stable RGs for the qPCR analysis of the immune responses of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci to the Wolbachia wMel strain from Drosophila melanogaster. A total of eight candidate RGs were evaluated using five different methods, i.e., Coefficient of Variation analysis, GeNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper and ΔCt. The stability of these RGs was assessed for both genomic DNA (gDNA) and complementary DNA (cDNA). The results indicate that β-actin (Actin) and elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1α) were the most stable RGs for gDNA, whereas 18S rRNA (18S) and glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were the least stable; in contrast, Actin and GAPDH were the most stable for cDNA, whereas RPL29 and ATPase were the least stable. The effectiveness of the most stable RGs was then validated against the least stable using qPCR analysis of the titre of wMel (gDNA) and the transcriptional responses of the antimicrobial peptide Alo-3-like and the phosphatidylinositol-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit delta isoform (cDNA) to wMel transfection. The results support the notion that reliable RGs are essential for a qPCR analysis of samples of both gDNA and cDNA.

Grassland butterflies are declining widely in temperate regions, and are thus a key target for conservation. Recent studies have shown that forest clearcuts can be temporary habitats for these species. Shelterbelts - rows of trees, planted to protect houses and crops from the winds - are periodically cleared. This clearing is necessary to prevent falling large branches from mature trees while maintaining their primary function. Consequently, recently cleared young shelterbelts have the potential to serve as habitats for grassland species. However, it remains unclear how long young shelterbelt plantations support grassland butterflies. In this study, we made a survey where the responses of flowering plants and butterflies to plantation age and environmental parameters were investigated during spring and summer in eight plantations aged 2-12 years. Plant richness, nectar abundance, as well as butterfly richness and abundance decreased with increasing plantation age. Butterflies, including endangered species, thrived in 2-6-year plantations, but declined dramatically thereafter. Age-related environmental variables, particularly canopy openness, explained the decline in plants and butterflies, with age being a more important factor than environmental variables. These results indicate that regenerated shelterbelts aged 2-6 years function as habitats for grassland butterflies, and that plantation age can be used as a simple indicator of habitat quality for such species, including endangered ones. Given that young plantations persist as grassland butterfly habitats for only 6 years since planting, a new clearcut needs to be created within the dispersal range for butterflies to help build metapopulations and ensure their conservation at a landscape scale.

The loss of habitat for numerous organisms due to climate change has significantly accelerated the rate of species extinction. Unfortunately, there have been no studies conducted on the impact of climate change and other factors on the distribution patterns of cicada species in India. In the present study, we investigated the current and potential future distribution of two cicada species, Platypleura octoguttata and Lemuriana apicalis, using environmental variables and occurrence data through maximum entropy modelling. The distribution ranges of both species show some similarities under the current climatic conditions. According to predictions based on future climate scenarios, the distribution areas for P. octoguttata and L. apicalis are predicted to decrease to varying extents. However, the anticipated reduction of distribution areas for these two cicada species is different, indicating that both species have distinct responses to climate change. The changes in the distributional centroids show a consistent trend of moving in a north-westward direction across all future periods under the four climate scenarios (SSP126, SSP264, SSP370, and SSP585), except for SSP370 in the case of L. apicalis, which shows the direction of overall migration north-eastwards over time. The creation of a new protected area at the border of Bijnor District in Uttar Pradesh Province and Haridwar District in Uttarakhand Province would be greatly helpful in future for the conservation of these two species. Our findings highlight the impact of climate change on the distribution range of these two cicada species, offering valuable insights for conservation efforts in India.

The success of animal species is shaped by a combination of ecological conditions and behavioural plasticity, with the latter being particularly crucial for the spread of invasive species. Megachile sculpturalis (Apoidea: Megachilidae), an East-Asian solitary bee introduced to France and subsequently spreading across Europe and North America, provides a case study. While its distribution is well-documented, the behavioural traits driving its success remain poorly understood. Our study aimed to explore behavioural patterns associated with its nesting cycle and potential expansion. In 2020, we conducted focal observations of individually marked females nesting in an artificial bee hotel. Daily recordings, based on ethograms, tracked females' activity at the site. We identified key behavioural units related to nesting goals and analysed the frequency and abundance of actions associated with each marked nest. Our results highlighted the significant effort females devote to nest-related actions, with 50-68% of all behaviours focused on nest building, suggesting any strategy of dispersion should be investigated in this context. While a typical nesting sequence was identified, individual variability indicated plastic nesting responses. Notably, females demonstrated a strong tendency to quickly shift their efforts to new nests following closure or abandonment, even provisioning multiple nests simultaneously. This ability to manage several nests at once may be crucial for establishing populations in invaded areas by rapidly expanding nesting efforts across multiple new sites during a single reproductive season. Our findings emphasize the contribution of behavioural studies in understanding reproductive strategies that influence a species' ability to settle in new environments and expand its range.

Ants are essential components of ecosystems, playing critical roles in nutrient cycling, pest control, and soil health. Agricultural practices significantly influence ant biodiversity, yet studies on this subject remain scarce in Morocco. This study examines the impact of three agricultural systems on ant diversity in Central Morocco: conventional (monoculture with intensive pesticide use), organic (no synthetic inputs and crop diversification), and traditional (low-input polyculture based on local practices), focusing on El Jadida and El Oualidia provinces. Using pitfall traps, a total of 1823 ants belonging to 4 subfamilies, 14 genera, and 21 species were sampled across the three systems. Organic agriculture exhibited the highest species richness (17 species; relative abundances dominated by Tetramorium caldarium and Paratrechina longicornis), and the highest Shannon diversity index, followed by traditional agriculture (11 species) and conventional agriculture (8 species). PERMANOVA and IndVal analyses revealed significant differences in species composition, with organic and traditional systems fostering distinct communities compared to conventional agriculture. Linear Discriminant Analysis highlighted clear separations among systems, reflecting the effects of habitat heterogeneity and management practices. The study underscores the ecological importance of organic and traditional practices in supporting ant biodiversity and calls for sustainable agricultural management to limit the negative impacts of biodiversity loss and homogenisation caused by conventional farming.

The yellow peach moth, Conogethes punctiferalis is a well-known agricultural pest with significant impacts on crops from Southeast Asia to Australia. It has also become one of the major pests of corn (Zea mays) in China. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the bio-ecology, potential damage, and management of C. punctiferalis on various economically important crops. The review discusses the current management strategies for C. punctiferalis, mainly based on chemical insecticides, and highlights their limitations and sustainability concerns. The authors emphasize the urgent need for sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) approaches tailored to the affected regions. Key research directions and recommendations are presented to fill knowledge gaps and improve the effective management of C. punctiferalis in agriculture.

An Erratum has been published for this article: https://doi.org/10.14411/eje.2025.028

Adult cicadas in temperate zones are known for their synchronized, loud emergences after spending years underground as nymphs feeding on xylem sap. In contrast, the nymphal stage - where cicadas spend most of their lives - remains poorly understood, especially in the Neotropics. Spatial and host plant relationships between Amazonian cicada nymphs and host trees are virtually unknown, limiting our understanding of the ecological roles of cicadas in Amazonian forests. Here, we present the first detailed spatial ecology study of nymphs of Orialella aerizulae, a species that builds conspicuous turrets. Using systematic mapping and quantification of turrets around Tachigali spp. trees and random control trees, we provide the first quantitative evidence of a specific cicada-tree association by observing xylem-feeding on fine roots within these turrets. We examine the relationship between turret density, tree developmental stage and size, and document emergence and activity patterns over a 19-month field study in the Peruvian Amazon. Finally, we investigate the species' bioturbation impact and its potential relevance to tree growth.

Concerns about insect decline have motivated the monitoring of terrestrial arthropods, often using Malaise traps. Since the types of Malaise trap vary widely, it is essential to understand the differences in the resulting number and composition of the arthropod catch. In this study, we compared the performance of two types of Malaise trap in capturing arthropods for biodiversity monitoring and ecological studies. We placed Bartak and SLAM traps in a paired design at increasing distances from a forest edge in vineyards in southwestern Germany. We measured arthropod biomass and used metabarcoding for species identification. Bartak traps caught 7.5 times higher biomass, but only 1.5 times more species compared to the SLAM traps. There was a significant difference in species composition, whereby highly mobile flying insect species, such as those in the order Diptera, strongly dominated the Bartak traps and ground-dwelling arthropods were better represented in SLAM traps. With increasing distance to the forest edge, species richness decreased similarly in both trap types. Our study shows that differences in trapping efficiency must be taken into account when comparing results from different, and that trap types can be chosen according to the focus of each study. Nevertheless, both trap types were able to detect the biodiversity pattern in our landscape in a similar way.

The species of Ptilomera Amyot & Serville, 1843 from China are reviewed. Two new species, Ptilomera acutidentata sp. n. and Ptilomera valida sp. n., are described from Yunnan, China. Diagnoses and new distribution records are provided for four previously recorded species, i.e., Ptilomera burmana D. Polhemus, 2001, Ptilomera hemmingseni Andersen, 1967, Ptilomera hylactor Breddin, 1903, and Ptilomera tigrina Uhler, 1860. Photographs and line drawings of the habitus, diagnostic characteristics of both sexes, habitat and in-situ photographs are presented. A distribution map of Ptilomera in China is also provided.

Bombyliidae (bee flies) is a large family in the order Diptera. Their larvae are predators or parasitoids of several insect orders, such as Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera and Diptera, some species of the genus Systoechus are predators of grasshopper eggs. The adults visit flowers for nectar and mating, which makes them important pollinators. Their classification and systematic position are still strongly debated. There were only two complete mitochondrial (mt) genomes of Bombyliidae. Mt genomes of Villa fasciata, Bombylius candidus, Heteralonia anemosyris, Ligyra guangdongana, Systropus excisus and Exhyalanthrax afer were sequenced in order to determine the diversity of mt genomes in this family. A comparative mt genomic analysis of these newly sequenced species revealed that the sizes of the mt genome ranged from 15,036 bp to 17,992 bp. All tRNAs had cloverleaf secondary structures, but the dihydrouridine (DHU) arm of tRNA^{Ser (AGN)} is absent. The phylogenetic analyses based on both Bayesian Inference (BI) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) supported Bombyliidae being the sister group of Asilidae. Within Bombyliidae, the analysis recovered subfamilies Toxophorinae, Anthracinae and Bombyliinae, and Anthracinae is the sister group of Bombyliinae.

Temperature affects the distribution and success of Apis mellifera subspecies. To survive high temperatures in their natural habitats, unique adaptive traits have been evolved by various A. mellifera subspecies. A. mellifera jemenitica is a sub-tropical subspecies that is native to the Arabian Peninsula. It is one of the most thermotolerant A. mellifera subspecies and the only subspecies that can successfully survive long summers with daily temperatures exceeding 45°C in the Arabian Peninsula. In hot, dry conditions and short seasons, A. m. jemenitica can successfully establish its colonies. In this article, the different morphological, behavioural and physiological aspects of the thermal adaptation of A. m. jemenitica, which are its size, pigmentation, brood cell size, seasonal cycle, foraging behaviour, heat shock proteins and life genes are discussed. These aspects account for how A. m. jemenitica can withstand and survive the high summer temperatures on the Arabian Peninsula.

Fragmentation and destruction of natural habitats threaten essential plant-pollinator interactions. Despite their importance for biodiversity they remain understudied in the context of ecosystem functioning in Morocco. This study examines the influence of forest and agricultural landscapes in Northwestern Morocco on plant-pollinator interactions by analysing the structure and dynamics of their networks. Data were collected between mid-March and mid-July 2023 at eleven sites in different landscapes. The results show significantly higher richness and abundance of pollinators (Hymenoptera, Diptera and Coleoptera) in the cork oak forest of Larache compared to the Gharb plain. High plant diversity in forest landscapes promotes plant-pollinator interactions, enhancing network stability and resilience and the vulnerability of forest.

Understanding the relationship between solitary bee flight and flowering phenology is globally relevant for environmental management and habitat restoration. Using Swedish citizen science data over an 11-year period, the flight behaviours of two oligolectic solitary bees (Andrena hattorfiana and Andrena marginata) were compared to the flowering phenology of their hosts (Knautia arvensis and Succisa pratensis) in southern Sweden. There were 2,327 and 4,566 records of flight and flowering, respectively. While associative studies cannot resolve the degree of oligolecty, a strong temporal association of Andrena hattorfiana with Knautia arvensis and Andrena marginata with Succisa pratensis was indicated. Three conclusions emerged when comparing annual data: first, the flight period of both bee species studied overlapped with the flowering period of their corresponding host plants. Second, earlier flowering of Knautia arvensis corresponded with the earlier flight of Andrena hattorfiana. Third, the flight period duration was unaffected by the flowering period duration. For Andrena hattorfiana/Knautia arvensis, climate change may shift the start of flight and flowering periods to earlier dates in the year. A similar response would be expected for Andrena marginata/Knautia arvensis, but not for Andrena marginata/Succisa pratensis where there instead might be an increasing mismatch between the flight and flowering periods.

Evaluating land management practices to best return landuse health and resilience is a growing interest in the face of rapidly declining worldwide invertebrate populations. American bison (Bison bison), a native megaherbivore, is well understood to benefit the natural cycle of vegetation growth and soil on the landscape. Activities of these native grazers has also been found to benefit specifically lepidopteran populations, but additional evaluation is needed. To assess this, we conducted lepidopteran and groundcover surveys within an oak savanna landscape located at the Sandhill Wildlife Area from 2014-2019, during spring and summer seasons. Bison grazing pastureland was delineated into four cover types including open grassland areas (other), shrubs and trees (shrubs), areas of exposed mineral soil (disturbance), and wallows resulting from disturbance as generated directly by American bison wallowing activities (wallows). A total of 60 plots (15 per cover type) were assessed for percent groundcover categories, recent presence of bison (indicated through bison chip counts), and observations of all lepidopteran species. Bison wallowing activities increased over the course of the study, with more wallows visible during spring season. Bison chips were highly separated from wallows, suggesting that bison graze and wallow in different areas. Lepidopteran family groups (Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Pieridae, Hesperiidae, Papilionidae, and Riodinidae, as well as grouped "moths" that were dominated by Geometridae) differed significantly across these areas of high and low disturbance. A total of 17 groups were observed, 13 of which were seen at least 3 times over the 10 surveys. Environmental predictors bison wallows, forbs, grass, nectar, and shrub cover were significantly associated with distribution of individual taxa. Bison wallows were significantly associated with lepidopteran family communities, while chips shaped trends in 6 groups identified to species, and vegetation types further significantly structured the community. Temporal trends captured significantly different community assemblages 2014-2019 and across seasons, with summer showing greater variation in families. Overall, this suggests that bison activities and resulting changes in groundcover impact habitat suitability and thus influence the abundance and distribution of lepidopteran family groups. A further assessment of bison influenced habitat features and breakdown of lepidopteran species units is needed to further understand how temporal bison activities may influence the habitat structure and subsequently the reliant lepidopterans within this ecotype and will be assessed in subsequent studies.

The plant-biotic pollinator interaction is crucial for the survival of both organisms. Insects are recognised as effective biotic pollinators. As there are few specific studies on the pollination of angiosperms, the emphasis of this review is on understanding the pollination process by reviewing the knowledge of the ginger-insect pollinator interaction in Asia. Currently the plant-pollinator interaction of only 5% of Asian species of Zingiberaceae is evaluated. Previous studies indicate that bees, such as, halictid and blue-banded bees are, among the many floral vistors, the most important pollinators of ginger plants in Asia. Knowledge of non-bee pollinators is still scarce. In order to obtain a more detailed understanding of the interrelationship of the pollinators of ginger plants with the morphology of their flowers, floral scent and geographical factors, further research is needed.

Carabids are important natural biocontrol agents for pest regulation in agricultural landscapes. Their role in the ecosystem is related to functional traits, which are themselves filtered by both the degree of habitat disturbance and the landscape composition and configuration that distribute ecological resources. Here we aim at sorting out the influences of habitat and landscape context on carabid traits in permanent grasslands and winter cereal crops (wheat or barley). We sampled carabids in adjacent grasslands and cereal fields in three agricultural plains of south-eastern France. We analysed the links between carabid traits and their occurrence in the studied habitats using regression models. We also characterised the influences of habitat and landscape context on trait distribution using multivariate analyses. Polyphagous species were more likely than others to be shared by both adjacent grassland and cereal fields. Granivorous carabids were strongly related to grasslands, while predatory and polyphagous species were more often captured exclusively in cereal crops when exclusive to one habitat. Small apterous carabids were more likely to be found in grasslands only. Concerning the influence of the landscape, polyphagous species were related to cereal crops surrounded by higher grassland coverage or lower compositional heterogeneity. Smaller carabids were more likely to be found in the vicinity of high grassland coverage, and apterous carabids in grassland-dominated landscapes. Grasslands thus not only provide resource and habitat complementation for generalist carabid species from neighbouring croplands, but they also host distinctive species showing particular traits. It is therefore important to maintain or restore grasslands in agricultural landscapes to support species and functional diversity in farmland.

Open-pit coal mine rehabilitation is essential to mitigate ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss. Given that ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are excellent bioindicators, we evaluated the response of their communities along a restoration gradient in a tropical dry forest ecosystem. Sampling was conducted in five sites: three areas with different rehabilitation ages (1.5, 4, and 7 years) and two ecosystems not affected by mining (a dry forest fragment and a natural regeneration area). A total of 65 species and morphospecies were recorded, belonging to 30 genera and seven subfamilies. A key finding was the asynchronous recovery of diversity: while species richness (q0) in the sites with longer rehabilitation times resembled that of the reference forest, community structure, measured by evenness (q1, q2), remained significantly lower, indicating a slower functional recovery. Composition analysis (NMDS) revealed a clear successional gradient, with the 7-year site representing an intermediate state in the trajectory toward reference forests. Notably, rehabilitation techniques such as mulch application in the youngest site (1.5 years) promoted the early colonization of specialist predatory ants, resulting in a more complex community than that of the 4-year site. We conclude that proactive rehabilitation, particularly measures focused on soil protection, accelerates the recovery of the ant community structure.

Some insects deter predators by sequestering toxic compounds and displaying aposematic coloration. The subfamily Chalcosiinae (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae) is known for the vivid larval coloration and cyanogenic glycoside secretion by larvae and adults. However, the larvae of a Chalcosiinae moth, Eterusia aedea, exhibit a subdued reddish-brown appearance, which does not visually signal toxicity. In this study, we report that E. aedea larvae and their secreted mucus emit strong blue fluorescence under ultraviolet (UV) light. Fluorescence analysis of the mucus revealed a peak emission at 446.0 nm, a purplish-blue wavelength. Given that avian and reptilian predators possess UV-sensitive vision, this fluorescence may serve as an aposematic signal. While the ecological function of fluorescence in insects remains unclear, our findings suggest that larval fluorescence in E. aedea may play a role in predator deterrence. Further studies are needed to determine whether this fluorescence is perceived and learned by natural predators as a warning signal.

This study presents a comprehensive taxonomic revision of the genus Aphonoides Chopard, 1940 in China, integrating morphological examination with molecular phylogenetics. As a result, we describe a new species, A. ouyue He & Wei, sp. n., from China, and synonymize A. aspidoid Zheng et al., 2021, syn. n. with A. japonicus (Shiraki, 1930). We also upgrade A. medvedevi alius Gorochov, 2007 to species status as A. alius Gorochov, stat. n., remove A. tessellatus Chopard, 1969, A. punctatus (Haan, 1844) and A. fuscirostris (Chopard, 1969) from the Chinese fauna, and provide the first description of the genitalia for A. wuyiensis Yin & Zhang, 2001. Molecular analysis of the COI gene (658 bp), including Aphonoides and Mistshenkoana Gorochov, 1990, reconstructs a phylogenetic tree confirming that both genera are monophyletic. The results also strongly support the current morphological classification of Aphonoides.

The current spatial distribution patterns of organisms result from both historical and contemporary environmental factors, which can be challenging to identify. Previous approaches to the distribution of Palearctic and Iberian Notodontidae require revision. This study, based on the presence data of each species within 100 × 100 km UTM grid squares across the Iberian Peninsula, represents a first step in this direction. Of the 38 Notodontidae species reliably recorded from the Iberian Peninsula, 7 exhibit a Cantabrian-Pyrenean distribution pattern, 5 extend beyond this region to cover all of Galicia and northern Portugal, 7 are spread throughout the northern half of the peninsula and 11 are widely distributed. As each of these distribution patterns builds upon the previous one, the area of highest species richness is concentrated in the Cantabrian-Pyrenean zone. The number of species recorded in each grid square is influenced by the sampling effort and, to a lesser extent, by land area. However, regardless of these methodological factors, species richness correlates with two key variables: the geographical distance from the Pyrenees and the average spring-summer temperature. The decreasing gradient of species richness as one moves farther from the Pyrenees may be explained by historical southward expansions and subsequent retractions towards the continent. Additionally, the inverse correlation between species richness and average spring-summer temperature could reflect a progressive decline in species whose populations are phenologically suited to Mediterranean conditions.

In the face of global warming, insects can employ various survival strategies. One possibility is that natural selection favors genetic combinations that are adaptive to this environmental situation. In some species, chromosomal inversions allow a particular combination of genes to be transmitted intact across generations, provided it is adaptive. Drosophila subobscura could therefore be considered a model species, given its rich chromosomal inversion polymorphism and its relationship with climate change. This polymorphism was studied in the Djerdap (Serbia) population in 2024, and its composition was found to have changed over time when the results were compared with those from 2001 and 2002. A significant decrease in 'cold' and an increase in 'warm' adapted inversions were observed when comparing 2001 and 2024. Also, the CTI (chromosomal thermal index) value for the whole karyotype in 2001 (0.162) was significantly different to that in 2024 (0.332) (adjusted p = 0.0084). Of the inversions studied, nine presented an observed frequency outside the interval expected assuming genetic drift. However, a change in agreement with global warming was detected in only five of these inversions, while the frequency of two 'non-thermal' adapted inversions also increased. Finally, an evolutionary rate was calculated by dividing the difference in frequency between 2024 and 2001 by the number of years that had elapsed. The values obtained for the 'cold', 'warm' and 'non-thermal' adapted were -0.0030126, 0.0030148 and -2.609 × 10^-6, respectively. These values are lower than those previously reported for the Apatin (Serbia) population.