Article
Entomology
Mingyuan Fan, Yingqi Liu, Wanzhi Cai
Summary: This article revises the assassin bug genus Tympanistocoris Miller by redescribing the type species T. humilis Miller and describing a new species, Tympanistocoris usingeri sp. nov., from Papua New Guinea. The article provides morphological comparisons and a key to distinguish the two species. It also briefly discusses the anastomosing veins on the hemelytra and the systematic position of the genus.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nicolai Rugen, Timothy P. Jenkins, Natalie Wielsch, Heiko Vogel, Benjamin-Florian Hempel, Roderich D. Suessmuth, Stuart Ainsworth, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz, Andreas Vilcinskas, Miray Tonk
Summary: Assassin bug venoms are potent and have diverse biological functions, with potential biomedical applications. The venom causes lysis of various cells and exhibits antibacterial activity, suggesting potential therapeutic uses.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chaoyan Wu, Lu Li, Yuqin Wang, Shujun Wei, Jiaying Zhu
Summary: Predatory bugs use a salivary venom apparatus to produce complex venoms for capturing and digesting prey. This study comprehensively analyzed the morphological, functional, compositional, and transcriptional characteristics of venoms derived from different glands of the assassin bug Sycanus croceovittatus. The results revealed the intricate structures of the venom apparatus, the differences in biological activities among the venoms, and the compositional heterogeneity of venom proteins. These findings highlight the morphogenesis and gene networks responsible for the production of venom proteins in different glands.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Yongji Zhu, Jian Wen, Qinglan Luo, Zhaolang Kuang, Kewei Chen
Summary: This study investigates the effects of winter temperatures on the population dynamics, development, and reproduction of predatory stink bugs in subtropical regions. The research reveals that E. furcellata undergoes winter dormancy and the proportion of adults is higher during the cold winter months.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Anne E. Wignall, Fernando G. Soley
Summary: Predators that hunt dangerous prey like assassin bugs use tapping as a tactic before attacking, to reduce the chance of aggressive behavior in their prey, ultimately lowering the risk of injury for the predators.
BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Maike Laura Fischer, Benjamin Fabian, Yannick Pauchet, Natalie Wielsch, Silke Sachse, Andreas Vilcinskas, Heiko Vogel
Summary: Predatory assassin bugs produce venomous saliva that helps them overpower and digest large prey. The venom of the African assassin bug Psytalla horrida has cytotoxic effects, and our study identified several compounds responsible for its toxicity. These compounds target different organisms, with some having antimicrobial activity and others being involved in prey killing. The findings shed light on the complex mechanisms behind predation and antimicrobial defense in assassin bugs.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Laura C. Wait, Andrew A. Walker, Glenn F. King
Summary: Assassin bugs possess venom that contains proteins with a solitary CUB domain and cystatins, which may contribute to the insecticidal activity of their venom. These components have unknown functions in assassin bug venoms but have been found to cause paralysis and death in certain prey species upon injection.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Kentarou Matsumura, Mana Iwaya, Naohisa Nagaya, Ryusuke Fujisawa, Takahisa Miyatake
Summary: The study found that walking ability in the assassin bug Amphibolus venator declines with age, while food intake is positively correlated with age. This phenomenon may be related to the predator's hunting strategy and changes in investment in reproductive traits as age increases.
Article
Entomology
Yingqi Liu, Hu Li, Wanzhi Cai
Summary: This study revised and elevated a subgenus of the Reduviidae family to the genus level based on morphological examination and molecular phylogenetic analysis. It described four recognized species and one new species, as well as discussed the systematic relationships, diagnosis, distribution, and habitat of this genus.
Article
Entomology
Jae Min Seong, Kwang Pum Lee
Summary: The bean bug, Riptortus pedestris, exhibits different reproductive traits when consuming different legume seeds, with yellow soybean and chickpea showing better nymphal survivorship and fecundity. However, two kidney bean varieties resulted in 100% nymphal mortality, while small black bean and black soybean supported high fecundity but were not suitable for nymphal development. Lipid content was significantly higher in R. pedestris raised on peanuts.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Leonidas-Romanos Davranoglou, Petr Banar, Daniel Suarez, Sonia Martin, Manuel Naranjo
Summary: In this study, a new species of the genus Collartida, C. phantasma sp. nov., was described from the Federica mine in Gran Canaria. This species differs from the other two Collartida species found in the Canary Archipelago in terms of wing presence in males, wing absence in females, and well-developed eyes in both sexes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carissa A. Gilliland, Vilas Patel, Ashley C. McCormick, Bradley M. Mackett, Kevin J. Vogel
Summary: Kissing bugs rely on symbiotic relationships with bacteria to compensate for the insufficient B vitamins in vertebrate blood. R. rhodnii is not always found in wild-caught kissing bugs, but it has higher fitness compared to other tested bacteria due to its higher abundance and provision of more B vitamins. The synthesis of B vitamins by symbiont bacteria is necessary but not sufficient for the development and survival of kissing bugs.
Article
Biology
Fanding Gao, Li Tian, Xinyu Li, Yinqiao Zhang, Tianfang Wang, Ling Ma, Fan Song, Wanzhi Cai, Hu Li
Summary: This study used transcriptomics and proteomics to identify effective salivary protein components in different compartments of the salivary gland of the assassin bug Platymeris biguttatus. Toxicological analysis revealed the distinct effects of secretions from different gland chambers on prey, shedding light on the functional cooperation among these chambers.
Article
Ecology
Yi Hang Park, Donggyun Shin, Chang S. Han
Summary: Reproductive performance exhibits nonlinear changes with age, with individual variation influenced by social environment and resource allocation strategies. Females mating with multiple partners show greater among-individual differences in reproductive ageing patterns.
BMC ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Ping Zhao, Zhenyong Du, Qian Zhao, Donghai Li, Xiaolan Shao, Hu Li, Wanzhi Cai
Summary: The genus Sclomina, a type of assassin bug endemic to China and Vietnam, includes multiple cryptic species with gradual morphological variability. Their biology and evolutionary history remain largely unknown.
Article
Entomology
B. Mainali, A. S. Andrew, P. W. Taylor, P. Rempoulakis
Summary: The study examined the use of stable isotope ratios to distinguish between laboratory-reared and wild Queensland fruit flies. Results showed high variability in delta N-15 values, making it ineffective for discriminating between sterile and wild flies, while measurements of delta C-13 values resulted in 100% correct classification of wild flies and 96.88% correct classification of released flies.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Md. Jamil Hossain Biswas, Bishwo Mainali, Jess R. Inskeep, Sushil K. Gaire, Dominic Cross, Lloyd D. Stringer, Phillip W. Taylor, Polychronis Rempoulakis
Summary: The study showed that a 5-day pre-release holding period along with provision of yeast hydrolysate (YH) in the diet significantly increased the abundance of mature male Queensland fruit fly. This suggests that providing YH and sugar as pre-release diet, along with a 5-day post-eclosion holding period, is beneficial for the success of SIT programmes targeting the species.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Anne E. Wignall, Marie E. Herberstein
Summary: Male spiders generate shudder vibrations in the female's web to reduce the risk of being mistaken for prey by females during courtship. These vibrations also delay female aggression towards real prey in the web. The structure of shudder vibrations varies among distantly related spider species, indicating the influence of female preferences on courtship signals. Male courtship in web-building spiders serves multiple functions, including reducing the risk of sexual cannibalism. Shudder vibrations are highly conserved across web-building spider species, but there are variations in their structure.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Jason Shadmany, Siu F. Lee, Thu N. M. Nguyen, Phillip W. Taylor
Summary: This study investigates patterns of sperm use in Queensland fruit flies by observing the effects of multiple mating on paternity, shedding light on the species' reproductive biology and patterns of sperm usage. Comparison with other tephritid fruit flies provides insights into the reproductive biology of this species and implications for Sterile Insect Technique (SIT).
Article
Entomology
Md Jamil Hossain Biswas, Polychronis Rempoulakis, Maurizio Benelli, Saleh Mohammad Adnan, Andrew P. Allen, Phillip W. Taylor, Bishwo Mainali
Summary: Field studies on releasing mature male Q-flies held for 5 days with methoprene or RK supplements did not show improvements in abundance and dispersal compared to the control diet. Laboratory studies suggest that the doses of methoprene and RK used in field releases may reduce male longevity when sustenance is not provided, especially when released at 5 days of age.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Saleh Mohammad Adnan, Iffat Farhana, Polychronis Rempoulakis, Phillip W. Taylor
Summary: Juvenile hormone is crucial for the sexual development of insects. The use of methoprene can accelerate sexual maturation in insects, but it may also increase their vulnerability to starvation and desiccation.
JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Khandaker Asif Ahmed, Heng Lin Yeap, Gunjan Pandey, Siu Fai Lee, Phillip W. Taylor, John G. Oakeshott
Summary: In this study, we investigated the genetic variation in remating propensity of Queensland fruit fly. We found that strains from different locations showed significant inherited variation in the level of intra-strain remating inhibition, and this inhibition level decreased significantly during domestication. The strain differences were mainly influenced by the genotypes of females, with little effect of the initial male genotype.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Rajib Majumder, Phillip W. Taylor, Toni A. Chapman
Summary: The domestication process strongly affects the microbiome of Queensland fruit flies (Qfly). The changes in the microbiome have implications for the functional relationship between Qfly and its microbiome, as well as the performance of domesticated and mass-reared insects for sterile insect technique (SIT) programs.
Article
Entomology
Sushil K. Gaire, Saluna Pokhrel, Md Jamil Hossain Biswas, Bishwo P. Mainali, Vivian Mendez, Jeanneth Perez, Phillip W. Taylor, Polychronis Rempoulakis
Summary: This study investigated the effects of domestication on quality control parameters of old and young Queensland fruit fly colonies. The results showed that regardless of their origin, older colonies performed better in many parameters. The authors emphasized the importance of considering the effects of continued domestication on quality control measures when setting assessment standards for fruit fly strains used in SIT programs.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cynthia Castro-Vargas, Gunjan Pandey, Heng Lin Yeap, Michael J. J. Lacey, Siu Fai Lee, Soo J. J. Park, Phillip W. W. Taylor, John G. G. Oakeshott
Summary: This study used SPME GC-MS and GC-FID techniques to investigate the chemical composition of rectal gland volatiles in Queensland fruit flies, revealing previously unreported compounds and suggesting a more complex role of rectal gland volatiles in sexual interactions than expected.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vivek Kempraj, Soo Jean Park, Donald N. S. Cameron, Phillip W. Taylor
Summary: The compound 1-octanol in the headspace of weaver ants has been identified as the functional kairomone responsible for repellence and oviposition deterrence. This compound plays a significant role in the effectiveness of weaver ants as biological control agents in orchards.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Soo Jean Park, Jodie Cheesman, Donald N. S. Cameron, Stefano G. De Faveri, Phillip W. Taylor
Summary: This study reports the chemical profile of tar tree flowers, which contain 16- and 18-carbon fatty acids and their ethyl esters, as well as a trace amount of zingerone. The presence of zingerone explains the attraction of fruit flies to tar tree flowers.
AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Bernard C. Dominiak, Phillip W. Taylor, Polychronis Rempoulakis
Summary: The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is an effective control method for the Queensland fruit fly, and reliable insect marking techniques are necessary for successful SIT operations. Variation in fluorescent dye performance has been observed in past Qfly SIT release projects. This study reviews past experience and presents potential alternatives to fluorescent dyes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cynthia Castro-Vargas, Gunjan Pandey, Heng Lin Yeap, Shirleen S. Prasad, Michael J. Lacey, Siu Fai Lee, Soo J. Park, Phillip W. Taylor, John G. Oakeshott
Summary: This study found inherited intraspecific variation in sexual signalling in a fruit fly species, Bactrocera tryoni. The abundance of various compounds in male rectal glands showed significant variation among different lines, while no significant variation was found in female rectal glands. The differences in compound abundance were related to both domestication and collection regions, suggesting the involvement of multiple genes.
Article
Microbiology
Nonthakorn (Beatrice) Apirajkamol, Timothy Michael Hogarty, Bishwo Mainali, Phillip Warren Taylor, Thomas Kieran Walsh, Wee Tek Tay
Summary: The development of pest management strategies is crucial for protecting crops from the highly invasive pest Spodoptera frugiperda. This study discovered two highly virulent Beauveria fungal isolates that could serve as novel biological control tools against this pest.
ARCHIVES OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)