Article
Entomology
Natalia Kaszyca-Taszakowska, Mariusz Kanturski, Lukasz Depa
Summary: Mutualistic relation with ants is a leading feature of aphid ecology. Some aphid species rely on ants for survival, while others do not. The concept of the trophobiotic organ, considered as a special adaptation for ant mutualism in aphids, needs revision as it is not exclusive to myrmecophilous species.
Article
Ecology
Omid Saleh Ziabari, Binshuang Li, Nate B. Hardy, Jennifer A. Brisson
Summary: The study focuses on male wing polymorphisms in aphids, and findings show that these polymorphisms are transient and have evolved repeatedly across species. The existence of asexual female wing plasticity in aphids may facilitate the repeated evolution of transient polymorphisms. Furthermore, male wingedness is positively correlated with host plant alternation and host plant breadth, suggesting that winged morphs and wing polymorphisms may contribute to higher speciation rates.
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.
Review
Plant Sciences
Laura C. E. Campbell, E. Toby Kiers, Guillaume Chomicki
Summary: A recent discovery in Fiji shows that ants engage in plant cultivation primarily for shelter rather than food. This behavior has evolved independently at least 65 times for crops and 15 times in different ant species. Studying these systems offers insights into the evolution and ecology of insect agriculture.
TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Natalia Kaszyca-Taszakowska, Mariusz Kanturski, Lukasz Depa
Summary: This study investigated the morphology and ant-attendance of facultatively and obligatorily myrmecophilous aphids in relation to their mutualistic relationship with ants. The results showed that there was no strict correlation between the morphology of perianal structures in these aphids and the degree of myrmecophily. However, the microrelief of the perianal cuticle may play a role in protecting facultatively myrmecophilous aphids against honeydew droplet.
Review
Ecology
Andrew V. Suarez, Michael A. D. Goodisman
Summary: Ants exhibit diverse behaviors that lead to non-kin cooperation within and between species, involving both reproductive and non-reproductive individuals. The mechanisms of non-kin cooperative interactions vary depending on the environment, providing insight into social evolution processes.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Asim Renyard, Regine Gries, Jan Lee, Jaime M. Chalissery, Sebastian Damin, Robert Britton, Gerhard Gries
Summary: Ants selectively consume sustained carbohydrate resources, such as aphid honeydew, based on factors like sugar type, concentration, and volume. They prefer sugar solutions with specific sugars and higher sugar content. While sugar type and concentration are the ultimate reasons for foraging behavior, strong recruitment of nest-mates to superior sources is likely the major immediate cause.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
J. Perez-Rodriguez, A. Pekas, A. Tena, F. L. Wackers
Summary: The study found that providing sugar-feeders reduced ant activity and tending, leading to an increase in mealybug parasitism rates. Although the differences were not significant, ants tended to prey more sentinel preys in trees with sugar-feeders. There was no significant difference in the gut content of ant workers in terms of carbohydrates and proteins between trees with and without sugar-feeders.
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Emily Mooney, Alexander Mitchell, James Den Uyl, Maria Mullins, Charlotte DiBiase, M. Shane Heschel
Summary: This study examined the impact of temperature and host plant phenology on aphid abundance and the mutualism between aphids and ants. The results showed differential responses of host plant and aphid phenology to temperature and snow melt timing. Aphids were more responsive to temperature, while host plants were more responsive to snow melt timing. When aphids colonized host plants at post-flowering stages, both aphid colony establishment and ant recruitment were reduced. The experimental manipulation of host plant phenology and temperature further showed that temperature increases and changes to the ant-aphid mutualism exacerbated the decrease in aphid abundance caused by phenological mismatch with host plants.
Article
Entomology
Angel Plata, Maria A. Gomez-Martinez, Francisco J. Beitia, Alejandro Tena
Summary: The invasive mealybug Delottococcus aberiae has become a significant pest in Mediterranean citrus. It has a mutualistic association with the native ant Lasius grandis, which promotes the establishment and invasion of the mealybug in Spanish citrus orchards. The colony size of the mealybug and the activity of L. grandis were positively correlated, and these interactions varied across seasons.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
S. Blanchard, F. Verheggen, I Van De Vreken, A. Richel, C. Detrain
Summary: This study investigates the potential impacts of climate change on honeydew production and composition in aphids. The findings show a significant increase in fructose content in honeydew produced by aphids under elevated temperature and CO2 conditions. Other sugar contents were not significantly affected. These changes may be related to changes in phloem composition, aphid metabolism, and sap ingestion.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Maria N. Lescano, Carolina Quintero, Alejandro G. Farji-Brener, Esteban Balseiro
Summary: Enhanced soil nutrient availability brings plant carbon:nutrient ratio closer to the requirements of herbivores, benefiting their performance. However, excessive nutrient surplus can lead to poor plant quality and indirect costs for herbivores. This study explores the effects of soil nutrient enhancement on aphid performance and ant attraction, highlighting the importance of evaluating the ecological costs and benefits of increasing soil nutrient availability in mutualistic interactions.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Zhou Zheng, Mengqin Zhao, Zhijun Zhang, Xin Hu, Yang Xu, Cong Wei, Hong He
Summary: Ants have established commensalism with sap-feeding insects and bacteria, with different species and colonies showing distinct bacterial communities in their digestive tracts. The dominant bacteria in ants' infrabuccal pockets and crops were Lactobacillus and Wolbachia, while Wolbachia was dominant in the midguts, hindguts and brood. Lactic acid bacteria isolated from aphid-tending ants exhibited abilities in catabolizing sugars found in hemipteran honeydew, providing insights into the association between ants, aphids and bacteria.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
David Kizirian, Jose Manuel Padial, Nicole Povelikin, Isaac Overcast, Maureen A. Donnelly, Marta Quitian, Marion Segall, Arianna Kuhn, Gwyneth Campbell, Ralph A. Saporito
Summary: We propose a feedback model that integrates evolutionary and ecological processes in Batesian mimetic trophic system dynamics. The model includes a previously overlooked link of selection for predation on the mimetic phenotype, perpetuating predation on the mimetic phenotype driving mimicry. Variation preservation throughout the feedback loop may explain polymorphism, suboptimal mimicry, and other aspects of mimetic trophic system evolution.
BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Lukasz Depa, Kari Vepsalainen, Tomasz Rutkowski, Wojciech Czechowski
Summary: Underground ants, such as Lasius (Chthonolasius) umbratus, have a mutualistic relationship with Stomaphis aphids, providing care and protection. Unlike ants that prey on or exploit aphids, these ants exhibit protective behavior. However, the coexistence of underground ants and Stomaphis aphids has been rarely reported, likely due to the cryptic lifestyle of the ants.
POLISH JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Psychology, Biological
Enrique Font, Pau Carazo
EVOLUTION AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sergio Lopez, Aroa Dominguez, Angel Guerrero, Carmen Quero
Summary: Plant essential oils, especially thyme oil and its major constituent thymol, were evaluated for their potential as disruptants of pheromone-mediated communication and mating behavior in major pest moths. Results showed that both thyme oil and thymol altered antennal response in males and interrupted pheromone-mediated attraction, indicating their potential as pest control tools. Further research is needed to explore the specific mechanisms and effects of thyme oil and thymol on mating disruption in these species.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Entomology
R. B. Adouani, L. Mdellel, M. B. H. Kamel, D. T. Martinez
Summary: The study focused on the biological control of pests affecting almond and peach trees in Tunisia by predicting parasitic insects, comparing morphological and molecular characteristics of aphid specimens from different locations, and analyzing biological parameters of the parasitoid. The results revealed significant differences in morphological and molecular analysis, providing valuable information for biological control.
AFRICAN ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Javier Abalos, Guillem Perez I de Lanuza, Alicia Bartolome, Fabien Aubret, Tobias Uller, Enrique Font
Summary: The study examined the effect of parental morph combination on offspring viability and behavior in a polymorphic lacertid Podarcis muralis. Results showed that morph frequencies matched the expected frequencies, with no evidence of alternative breeding investment strategies or morph-combination effects on offspring viability and behavior. The study concludes that inter-morph breeding remains entirely viable in P. muralis.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Arnaud Badiane, Enrique Font
Summary: This study shows that male Tyrrhenian wall lizards display ultraviolet-blue and black color patches that positively correlate with aspects of their quality such as body or head size. The results suggest that UV-blue and black color patches may provide different information about male resource holding potential, and that the lizards are able to distinguish colors of their body parts from each other.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paolo Cuti, Miquel Barbera, Jan A. Veenstra, David Martinez-Torres
Summary: Aphids undergo a seasonal switch from viviparous parthenogenesis to sexual reproduction in response to changing photoperiods, possibly mediated by two insulin-like peptides (ILP1 and ILP4). ILP4 is synthesized in specific neurosecretory cells in the aphid brain and transported to the corpora cardiaca and abdomen, suggesting a direct connection between neurosecretory cells and the reproductive system. Additionally, collateral arborizations from the neurosecretory cells to areas containing clock neurons and photoreceptors hint at a possible communication between circadian and photoperiodic systems.
INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarah Awater-Salendo, Dagmar Voigt, Monika Hilker, Benjamin Furstenau
Summary: Parasitic wasps rely on host-associated chemical cues for successful host search. The study showed that the loss of kairomonal activity in host trails is not due to changes in chemical trail composition induced by microbial activity. The long-chain CHCs of a host trail gradually solidify through a self-assembling process, reducing the accessibility of CHCs to parasitoids' receptors and leading to a loss of trail-following behavior.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Francesca Sara Colizzi, Katharina Beer, Paolo Cuti, Peter Deppisch, David Martinez Torres, Taishi Yoshii, Charlotte Helfrich-Foerster
Summary: In this study, the master clock in the brain of the aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum was characterized immunohistochemically, revealing rhythmic expressions of PER and CRY under long days. The absence of staining with anti-PDH suggested the lack of PDF in aphids. The synchronized CRY1 oscillations in all neurons indicated a light-sensitive role, contrasting Drosophila's CRY1 behavior.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Miquel Barbera, Jorge Mariano Collantes-Alegre, David Martinez-Torres
Summary: This study focuses on the role of the opsins and cryptochromes in the circadian clock of aphids, with cry2 showing strong rhythmic expression correlating with core clock genes period and timeless, while cry1 exhibiting a weaker rhythm. The study also suggests a possible link between cry1 and cry2 expression changes and activation of the aphid's seasonal response, with cry1 possibly involved in photoreception and cry2 in clock repression.
INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
M. A. Gonzalez, D. Bravo-Barriga, P. M. Alarcon-Elbal, J. M. Alvarez-Calero, C. Quero, M. Ferraguti, S. Lopez
Summary: Through field experiments, we found that Phortica variegata flies have preferences for temperature, predation methods, and attractants, with yellow traps being less effective than black and transparent traps. All males analyzed showed negative results for the presence of Thelazia callipaeda larvae.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Sergio Lopez, Jose Maria Alvarez-Calero, Josep Maria Riba-Flinch, Maria Milagro Coca-Abia, Antoni Torrell, Carmen Quero
Summary: The research identified a compound released by the flathead oak borer that is attractive to both sexes, but its effectiveness was lower in field trials, possibly due to methodological design factors. Additionally, all trapped female insects were determined to be mated, regardless of the presence of the compound.
Article
Entomology
Sergio Lopez, Sara Rodrigo-Gomez, Enrique Fernandez-Carrillo, Claudia Corbella-Martorell, Carmen Quero
Summary: The leaf beetle Labidostomis lusitanica poses a threat to pistachio crops in Spain. Male beetles release a compound called 2-isobutyl-3-methoxypyrazine, which attracts both male and female beetles. This compound may act as an aggregative cue, although more research is needed to confirm its role in natural conditions.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Ferran de la Cruz, Guillem Perez de Lanuza, Enrique Font
Summary: This study examines the effect of insularity on social signals in the Lilford's wall lizard, and finds that the UV-blue patches and visual displays are lost or under-expressed and there is little sexual dichromatism. These changes are hypothesized to be due to high population density discouraging territorial behavior and promoting social tolerance, making most social signals unnecessary.
BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Susana Gonzalez-Granero, Enrique Font, Ester Desfilis, Vicente Herranz-Perez, Jose Manuel Garcia-Verdugo
Summary: In adult lizards, new neurons are generated from neural stem cells in the ventricular zone, and they migrate and integrate into the main brain subdivisions. By administering markers and euthanizing the animals at different survival times, adult neurogenesis in Podarcis liolepis was studied. The results showed that only type B cells were labeled after short survival times, indicating that they are neural stem cells.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Alicia Bartolome, Pau Carazo, Enrique Font
Summary: Zoos and aquaria are increasingly focused on environmental enrichment to improve animal welfare, but ongoing issues like taxonomic bias hinder progress, particularly for neglected groups like reptiles. A survey on European zoos revealed significant differences in enrichment use between reptile groups, with tortoises and monitor lizards being the most enriched while venomous snakes were the least. Structural/habitat design and dietary enrichment were the most commonly used types across taxa. The study also identified a need to reassess our understanding of reptile enrichment, as many reported techniques bordered between basic husbandry and true enrichment.