Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nathan T. Derstine, Gabriel Villar, Margarita Orlova, Abraham Hefetz, Jocelyn Millar, Etya Amsalem
Summary: The study revealed that the Dufour's gland in bumble bees contains caste-specific compounds that workers use to discriminate between individuals of different social and reproductive status. Furthermore, workers were attracted to Dufour's gland extracts without reproductive conflict, and queenless workers showed higher overall antennal sensitivity.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chris Bail
Summary: Improving society through the redesign of social media necessitates a fresh research platform.
Review
Cell Biology
Hua Yan, Jurgen Liebig
Summary: Social behavior relies on the nervous system's ability to sense and interpret signals, with pheromones playing a crucial role in communication. Eusocial insects exhibit cooperative behavior, with evolutionary changes in genetic systems influencing social behavior. Recent genetic and genomic studies have uncovered key genes involved in pheromone synthesis and chemosensory perception.
GENES & DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lukas Schrader, Hailin Pan, Martin Bollazzi, Morten Schiott, Fredrick J. Larabee, Xupeng Bi, Yuan Deng, Guojie Zhang, Jacobus J. Boomsma, Christian Rabeling
Summary: Inquiline ants are highly specialized and obligate social parasites that have distinct genetic erosion compared to their closely-related hosts, likely due to reduced social behavioral repertoires. This parallel gene loss, particularly in olfactory receptors, suggests a relaxed selection for cooperative colony life in the socially parasitic species.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Xiaoli He, Yajie Cai, Jinglei Zhu, Mengdi Zhang, Yadong Zhang, Yang Ge, Zengrong Zhu, Wenwu Zhou, Guirong Wang, Yulin Gao
Summary: The study identified two pheromone receptor genes in the potato tuber moth, which are highly expressed in the antennae of male adults and show differential responses to key sex pheromone components. This research characterized the function of pheromone receptors in gelechiid moths for the first time, providing insights for olfactory-based pest management of P. operculella in the field.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Cody A. Freas, Marcia L. Spetch
Summary: Different ant species exhibit similar behavioral characteristics when solving navigational challenges and reaching goal locations. They rely on a shared toolbox of navigational strategies, but the mechanisms supporting these behaviors are adjusted to each species' habitat and ecology. Hybrid foraging species and solitary foragers display distinct differences in their reliance on the shared toolbox.
LEARNING & BEHAVIOR
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Erin Treanore, Nathan Derstine, Etya Amsalem
Summary: Social behavior evolution involves major transitions from solitary to social living, intermediate to true sociality, and primitive to advanced eusocial species. Derived traits that appear in advanced eusocial species but are rare in primitive ones can still provide insights into social evolution. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of these traits is key to studying the evolution of social behavior.
ANNALS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biology
Johanna Tross, Harald Wolf, Sarah Elisabeth Pfeffer
Summary: This study investigates the locomotion behavior of different worker subcastes and males in Camponotus fellah ants. The results show that body size and shape have varying effects on locomotion behavior, with minor workers exhibiting the highest relative velocities and males having lower walking speeds.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Weidang Lu, Yu Ding, Yuan Gao, Yunfei Chen, Nan Zhao, Zhiguo Ding, Arumugam Nallanathan
Summary: This paper proposes a secure communication scheme for the NOMA-based UAV-MEC system towards a flying eavesdropper. The scheme maximizes the average security computation capacity of the system while guaranteeing a minimum security computation requirement for each GU. Mathematical derivation and optimization methods are used to solve the problem and simulation results show the superiority of the proposed scheme in terms of system security computation performance.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
C. L. Klunk, M. A. Argenta, F. B. Rosumek, S. Schmelzle, T. van de Kamp, J. U. Hammel, M. R. Pie, M. Heethoff
Summary: Insects have evolved various modifications to their mouthparts for different feeding modes. This study used Finite Element Analysis to simulate the mechanical responses of mandibles from different ant species to bite loading. The results showed interspecific differences in mandible mechanical responses, and ant feeding habit was not a reliable predictor of mandible biting performance.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Eva Schultner, Tobias Wallner, Benjamin Dofka, Jeanne Bruelhart, Juergen Heinze, Dalial Freitak, Tamara Pokorny, Jan Oettler
Summary: In the ant species Cardiocondyla obscurior, queens have control over the allocation of queen-worker caste, as shown by the presence of crystalline deposits that distinguish castes throughout development. While size and weight differences were found in late development, there were no discernible differences in traits that may be used in social interactions. These findings, along with previous studies, suggest that queens control reproductive allocation in C. obscurior, aligning the fitness interests of colony members to optimize resource allocation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nancy Vollmer, Mansha Singh, Navika Harshe, Joseph J. Valadez
Summary: The study in traditional settings in Bihar found that female interviewers are preferred as they are more likely to obtain accurate data on sensitive topics, reducing non-sampling errors in survey results.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
H. Darras, C. Berney, S. Hasin, J. Drescher, H. Feldhaar, L. Keller
Summary: The yellow crazy ant possesses an extraordinary reproductive system in which males are chimeras of haploid cells from two different lineages. R cells are overrepresented in the males' somatic tissues, while W cells are overrepresented in their sperm. Chimerism occurs when parental nuclei bypass syngamy and divide separately within the same egg. Depending on which lineage's sperm fertilizes the oocyte, the resulting diploid offspring will develop into either a queen or a worker. This study uncovers a unique mode of reproduction that may be linked to a conflict between lineages for preferential entry into the germ line.
Article
Physics, Applied
M. Krbal, J. Prikryl, V. Prokop, I. Pis, F. Bondino, A. V. Kolobov
Summary: In this study, the structural transformation of MoS2 from a three-dimensional amorphous phase to a layered vdW crystal was investigated using S L2,3 edge x-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. The results showed that the establishment of vdW interactions between covalently bonded layers during the crystallization process resulted in the anisotropic nature of the crystalline phase.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tian Xu, Meng Xu, Yongyue Lu, Wenqian Zhang, Jianghua Sun, Rensen Zeng, Ted C. J. Turlings, Li Chen
Summary: Mutualisms, such as the one between ants and aphids, can be enhanced by trail pheromones to increase benefits for both partners, thereby strengthening the stability of their relationship.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Felipe Chagas Rocha Almeida, Diego Martins Magalhaes, Arodi Prado Favaris, Jonathan Rodriguez, Kamila Emmanuella Xavier Azevedo, Jose Mauricio Simoes Bento, Denise Araujo Alves
Summary: Pathogenic fungi may impact bee behavior and chemicals, allowing guard bees to detect pathogen-exposed bees and prevent them from entering the hive. This provides important insights into how bee colonies respond to potential infectious threats.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ivana Lemos Souza, Diego Bastos Silva, Luis Claudio Paterno Silveira, Jose Mauricio Simoes Bento, Maria Fernanda Gomes Villalba Penaflor, Rosangela Cristina Marucci
Summary: The use of nectar-producing companion plants can help in biological control. This study found that floral volatiles from marigold are attractive to the parasitoid Aphidius platensis, and more attractive than volatiles from sweet pepper plants. However, volatiles emitted by aphid-infested sweet pepper were as attractive as those of uninfested or aphid-infested marigold.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Weliton D. Silva, Yunfan Zou, Lawrence M. Hanks, Jose Mauricio S. Bento, Jocelyn G. Millar
Summary: A novel trisubstituted tetrahydropyran was isolated from the sex-specific volatiles produced by males of the cerambycid beetle Macropophora accentifer. Although this compound was the major component, it was weakly attractive to beetles of both sexes in field trials, suggesting that the presence of the unnatural enantiomer in the racemate might inhibit the attraction. The male-produced volatiles also contained minor and trace components, and further research is needed to identify and synthesize these compounds to determine their role in the active pheromone blend for this species.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Diego Bastos Silva, Aldo Hanel, Flavia Pereira Franco, Marcio De Castro Silva-Filho, Jose Mauricio Simoes Bento
Summary: This study demonstrates that the phytophagy behavior of the mirid predator Macrolophus basicornis can indirectly enhance tomato plant resistance. This research paves the way for a novel and sustainable pest-management strategy in the neotropical region.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Camila M. Costa, Antonio P. Camargo, Eric Alberto da Silva, Jose Mauricio S. Bento
Summary: An automated barometric chamber was designed for researching arthropod behaviors and insect-plant interactions in the laboratory. By changing the barometric pressure, researchers can observe the characteristics of arthropod and plant growth, behavior, and interactions. The control system ensures a stable barometric pressure and two experiments demonstrated the impact of barometric pressure on insect feeding activity.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Arodi P. Favaris, Amanda C. C. Tuler, Weliton D. D. Silva, Marvin Pec, Sergio R. Rodrigues, Artur C. D. Maia, Jose Mauricio S. Bento
Summary: Cyclocephaline beetles are primarily attracted to major floral volatiles. The volatile compounds identified from trumpet flowers, such as eucalyptol, methyl benzoate, and beta-myrcene, were found to attract the beetle Cyclocephala paraguayensis. The blend of Mebe and nerolidol showed a synergistic interaction in attracting the beetles.
Article
Plant Sciences
Paolo Salazar-Mendoza, Jose Mauricio S. Bento, Diego B. B. Silva, Sergio F. Pascholati, Peng Han, Cesar Rodriguez-Saona
Summary: This study examines the effects of nutrient availability and induced resistance on plant-herbivore interactions. It suggests that higher fertilizer rates lead to increased nutrient content in tomato plants, making them more preferred by T. absoluta. However, the application of defensive phytohormone MeJA can counteract this preference. Interestingly, there was no significant interaction between fertilizer and MeJA, indicating that the induced responses against T. absoluta remain similar regardless of fertilizer rates.
JOURNAL OF PLANT INTERACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Cristiane Nardi, Caroline Rech, Joao Ronaldo Freitas Oliveira, Maria Fernanda Gomes Villalba Penaflor, Franciele Santos, Jose Mauricio Simoes Bento
Summary: Based on the theory of optimal foraging and preference-performance hypothesis, gravid females of Diabrotica speciosa, a cucurbit beetle, select plant hosts for oviposition that benefit themselves or their offspring. This study investigated the use of volatiles emitted by non-infested maize plants and herbivore-infested plants by conspecific immatures and adults by gravid females in host selection. Results showed that the presence of conspecifics on maize plants triggered volatiles emission, influencing the host selection for oviposition. Gravid females avoided plants infested by larvae and plants infested by larvae and adults. Leaf-infested plants did not affect the host-selection behavior. Weight gain of larvae was higher on non-infested and leaf-infested plants, indicating that female preference is related to offspring performance.
ARTHROPOD-PLANT INTERACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Paolo Salazar-Mendoza, Diego M. Magalhaes, Andre L. Lourencao, Jose Mauricio S. Bento
Summary: Compared to its wild relatives, cultivated tomato has lower levels of constitutive volatiles, reduced morphological and chemical defenses, and increased leaf nutritional quality, which affect its resistance against the specialist herbivore Tuta absoluta. The domestication process has unintentionally compromised certain traits, such as plant defense and nutritional value.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fernanda Moreira Andrade, Lara Sales, Arodi P. Favaris, Jose Mauricio Simoes Bento, Axel Mithoefer, Maria Fernanda G. V. Penaflor
Summary: Co-infestations by herbivores can affect induced plant defenses and the emission of herbivore-induced plant volatiles. Multiple herbivory leads to stronger hormone accumulation but has a negative impact on the attractiveness of the volatiles to predators.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Kamila E. X. Azevedo, Diego M. Magalhaes, Rafael de Andrade Moral, Jose Mauricio S. Bento
Summary: Abiotic factors have a strong influence on ecological interactions and spatial distribution of organisms. Barometric pressure, an essential factor, has a poorly understood impact on insect behavior, especially in predators. This study investigates how different predatory insects adapt their foraging behavior to variations in barometric pressure, and also examines the response of different life stages to these pressure fluctuations. The results provide insights into the effects of barometric pressure on insect foraging efficiency and predator-prey interactions, highlighting the importance of studying abiotic factors in the context of climate change.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Diego M. Magalhaes, Andre L. Lourencao, Jose Mauricio S. Bento
Summary: This study reveals that inoculating plants with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) increases the number of flowers, enhances floral volatile emission, and significantly influences the foraging behavior of stingless bees.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Luana Karolline Ribeiro, Carlos Alexandre de Lara, Aloisio Coelho Coelho Junior, Paulo Sergio Fiuza Ferreira, Juliano Tadeu Vilela de Resende, Jose Mauricio Simoes Bento, Cristiane Nardi
Summary: This study describes the development and performance of the garden fleahopper on different host plants, including beans, potatoes, white clover, alfalfa, and wheat. The research reveals that the choice of host plant has an impact on the biological characteristics of the flea hopper, with clover and alfalfa being the most favorable hosts.
REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE ENTOMOLOGIA
(2022)
Review
Agronomy
Jose Roberto Postali Parra, Adriano Gomes Garcia, Alexandre Jose Ferreira Diniz, Jose Mauricio Simoes Bento
Summary: Citrus insect pests are a worldwide concern, and Brazil has conducted research on biological control methods, including the use of sex pheromones to monitor fruit borers and the introduction of parasitoids. These strategies have successfully reduced the damages to citrus production.
FRONTIERS IN AGRONOMY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Flavia P. Franco, Amanda C. Tuler, Diego Z. Gallan, Felipe G. Goncalves, Arodi P. Favaris, Maria Fernanda G. Penaflor, Walter S. Leal, Daniel S. Moura, Jose Mauricio S. Bento, Marcio C. Silva-Filho
Summary: The fungus C. falcatum manipulates the behavior of D. saccharalis to its advantage. C. falcatum-infected sugarcane plants emit more volatile organic compounds, attracting female D. saccharalis to lay eggs on these plants, facilitating pathogen infection.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY
(2022)