Article
Forestry
Dorah M. M. Mwangola, Aubree M. M. Kees, Donald M. M. Grosman, Brian H. H. Aukema
Summary: The invasive insect Emerald ash borer (EAB) poses a major threat to ash trees in North America. To conserve the genetic resources of ash trees, scientists have studied the effect of systemic insecticides on seed infestation and germination. The results suggest that using systemic insecticides can effectively reduce seed weevil infestation in ash trees without affecting seed germination rates.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Samuel F. Ward, Andrew M. Liebhold, Randall S. Morin, Songlin Fei
Summary: Non-native insects and pathogens can have significant impacts on forests, as seen with the Emerald ash borer's invasion in eastern North America. While ash regeneration has been extensive in invaded areas, negative population trajectories for ash trees have been observed in plots invaded for more than approximately 10 years, indicating a decline in abundance.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Donnie L. Peterson, Kathleen Kyle, Aurelien Salle, Francesco Pecori, Duccio Migliorini, Alberto Santini, Nicola Luchi, Michelle Cleary
Summary: Buprestids, such as the emerald ash borer, are causing serious damage to broadleaf forests in North America and Europe. It is important to detect these insects early to prevent the establishment of invasive populations. A highly specific and sensitive detection method called loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) was tested and found to be effective in detecting the emerald ash borer in European forests and urban areas.
Article
Agronomy
Rafael B. de Andrade, Kristopher Abell, Jian J. Duan, Paula Shrewsbury, Daniel S. Gruner
Summary: The study found that signs of untreated trees being infested by emerald ash borer decrease as the proximity to treated trees increases. However, for a tree to be safely left untreated, the proximity to treated trees must be high.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Molly A. Robinett, Therese M. Poland, Deborah G. McCullough
Summary: The study found that the emerald ash borer populations in white ash trees in multiple regions in the United States remained stable, and the area of live ash phloem did not affect the abundance and population density of emerald ash borers. The canopy condition of the white ash trees improved, indicating a relatively stable situation for the emerald ash borer populations in the study areas.
Article
Forestry
Nathan W. Siegert, Patrick J. Engelken, Deborah G. McCullough
Summary: Quantified changes in ash tree demography and emerald ash borer carrying capacity in forested ecosystems reveal significant impact of EAB invasion, with most ash trees dead post-invasion and EAB carrying capacity drastically reduced. Presence of live stump sprouts on EAB-killed green ash trees varied, while ash sapling and recruit density showed variability. Absence of newly germinated ash seedlings suggests potential limitations on recruitment of ash saplings and seedlings in post-invasion forests.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yingqiao Dang, Ke Wei, Xiaoyi Wang, Jian J. Duan, David E. Jennings, Therese M. Poland
Summary: The study highlights that planting susceptible non-native host plants can induce outbreaks of a native insect pest in its native range, potentially increasing the risk of invading novel regions via human-assisted activities such as international trade. The research also suggests that there may be lag-times of several decades between planting susceptible hosts and initial pest outbreaks, posing challenges in predicting the true risk of invading novel regions. Therefore, a comprehensive risk assessment for invasive insect pests should consider the role of non-native plants introduced or planted in the pest's native range.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Dmitry L. Musolin, Andrey V. Selikhovkin, Elena Y. Peregudova, Boris G. Popovichev, Michail Y. Mandelshtam, Yuri N. Baranchikov, Rimvys Vasaitis
Summary: Agrilus planipennis is a devastating invasive pest of ash trees in European Russia, Ukraine, and North America. The study revealed that the current continuous north-western limit of A. planipennis range in European Russia coincides with the north-western border of Tver' City and has not distinctly shifted north-westward during 2015-2019. Despite abundant food supply in Tver' City, the population density of A. planipennis in the area is currently low. The sudden detection of a spatially isolated A. planipennis outbreak near Saint Petersburg suggests accidental introduction of the pest, rather than gradual expansion of its invasive range.
Article
Forestry
Sofia Simeto, Benjamin W. Held, Robert A. Blanchette
Summary: The emerald ash borer has caused significant damage to ash trees in North America, resulting in the death of hundreds of millions of trees. This study investigated the wood-degrading potential of Basidiomycota fungi associated with EAB galleries. The results showed that many of the white-rot fungi isolated were aggressive wood degraders, with Trametes versicolor, Phlebia radiata, and Phlebia acerina being the top decomposers, leading to substantial weight loss and degradation of wood cell walls.
Article
Entomology
Jian J. Duan, Jonathan M. Schmude, Kristi M. Larson
Summary: The study found that a chill period of at least 2 months at 12.8 degrees Celsius is necessary to terminate the EAB diapause. However, chilling larvae at near zero temperature (1.7 degrees Celsius) does not lead to their development into adults, regardless of the duration. Additionally, chilling immature larvae before JL stage results in minimal production of EAB adults, indicating JL as the primary diapause stage.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Donnie L. Peterson, Don Cipollini
Summary: The loss of ash trees due to emerald ash borer invasion has heavily impacted North American forests. The white fringetree, a relative of ash trees, has been found to support the development of EAB in ornamental plantings. In wild populations, white fringetrees showed lower likelihood of attack compared to white ash trees, but displayed signs of stress when attacked.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Cerian R. Webb, Tamas Mona, Christopher A. Gilligan
Summary: The emerald ash borer has caused immense economic and social costs in North America and European Russia, with potential rapid spread in southern England if not controlled. Differences in climate may limit spread in parts of Great Britain, but early surveillance and control measures are essential to minimize human-mediated spread of this destructive pest.
PLANTS PEOPLE PLANET
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shihang Yu, Jianwei Wu, Qinghua Bian, Min Wang, Jiangchun Zhong
Summary: Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire is a pest that damages ash trees by boring into them. Researchers have successfully synthesized the contact sex pheromone of this pest using chiral propylene oxide. The synthesis process involves the ring-opening reaction of chiral propylene oxide, stereospecific inversion of secondary tosylate, and Wittig coupling of chiral aldehyde.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Toby R. Petrice, Therese M. Poland, Leah S. Bauer, John S. Strazanac, Jian J. Duan, Jonathan M. Schmude, F. William Ravlin
Summary: Yellow pan traps were used to monitor introduced hymenopteran parasitoids for biological control of emerald ash borer. Field studies in southern Michigan showed low trap captures for both parasitoid species. Tree crown class and diameter were correlated with parasitoid captures. The previous year's densities of parasitized larvae were positively related to capture numbers of one parasitoid species, while there was no correlation for the other species. These findings are important for improving the efficacy of yellow pan traps in monitoring introduced EAB larval parasitoids.
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
(2023)
Review
Entomology
Jian J. J. Duan, Juli R. R. Gould, Nicole F. F. Quinn, Toby R. R. Petrice, Benjamin H. H. Slager, Therese M. M. Poland, Leah S. S. Bauer, Claire E. E. Rutledge, Joseph S. S. Elkinton, Roy G. G. Van Driesche
Summary: The emerald ash borer, a beetle native to Asia, was first discovered in the USA and Canada in 2002, causing widespread ash tree mortality. A classical biological control program was implemented using parasitic wasps from China and Russia, which have successfully established populations and suppressed the target pest in many areas. This biocontrol program is likely to contribute to the recovery of North American ash trees.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yue Gao, Suning Liu, Qiangqiang Jia, Lixian Wu, Dongwei Yuan, Emma Y. Li, Qili Feng, Guirong Wang, Subba R. Palli, Jian Wang, Sheng Li
Summary: The study reveals that JH membrane signaling phosphorylates USP at Ser35 through PKC activation, enhancing the regulation of 20E on fruit fly development. The uspS35A mutant with Ala substitution at Ser35 shows reduced body size and delayed developmental timing.
Article
Entomology
Xien Chen, Subba Reddy Palli
Summary: The study identified the molecular mechanism of deltamethrin resistance in fall armyworm by showing the key role of P450 gene SfCYP321A8, which could be applied in resistance and functional genomics research. Transgenic lines expressing P450 genes were developed and showed significantly increased tolerance to deltamethrin through bioassays, highlighting the potential for further research on insecticide resistance in lepidopteran pests.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Xien Chen, Subba Reddy Palli
Summary: A piggyBac-based germline transformation system was established in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, a global agricultural pest. Tissue-specific promoters were identified and used to drive the expression of transgenes, resulting in tissue-specific overexpression. Overexpression of certain genes in the midgut was found to confer insecticide resistance.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
M. Kanakachari, H. Rahman, R. N. Chatterjee, T. K. Bhattacharya
Summary: Native chickens in India play a significant role in the rural economy by providing additional income and nutritional security. This study comprehensively reviews the characteristics of Indian native chicken breeds and differentiates them from exotic breeds through phenotype, molecular parameters, and performance. The research reveals the genetic distance and unique position of Indian chickens in relation to exotic chickens, suggesting that breed signature has the potential to distinguish between the two populations.
WORLDS POULTRY SCIENCE JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Xien Chen, Subba Reddy Palli
Summary: This study reports the establishment of multiple transgenic CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing methods in the global agricultural pest, fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. Fluorescent proteins suitable for screening for transgenic fall armyworm were identified. The use of U6-tRNA-sgRNA system for sgRNA expression was found to be more efficient in inducing target gene knockout. These methods provide valuable tools for gene editing and functional genomics studies in the fall armyworm and other lepidopteran pests.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Entomology
Marc Kenis, Giovanni Benelli, Antonio Biondi, Paul-Andre Calatayud, Roger Day, Nicolas Desneux, Rhett D. Harrison, Darren Kriticos, Ivan Rwomushana, Johnnie van den Berg, Francois Verheggen, Yong-Jun Zhang, Lakpo Koku Agboyi, Regis Besmer Ahissou, Malick N. Ba, Julio Bernal, Adeney de Freitas Bueno, Yves Carriere, Geraldo Andrade Carvalho, Xue-Xin Chen, Lizette Cicero, Hannalene du Plessis, Regan Early, Patrick Fallet, Komi K. M. Fiaboe, Dnyaneshwar M. Firake, Georg Goergen, Astrid T. Groot, Raul N. C. Guedes, Ankita Gupta, Gao Hu, Fn Huang, Lara R. Jaber, Edi A. Malo, Christina B. McCarthy, Robert L. Meagher, Samira Mohamed, David Mota Sanchez, Rodney N. Nagoshi, Nicolas Negre, Saliou Niassy, Noboru Ota, Casper Nyamukondiwa, Celso Omoto, Subba Reddy Palli, Roman Pavela, Ricardo Ramirez-Romero, Julio C. Rojas, Sevgan Subramanian, Bruce E. Tabashnik, Wee Tek Tay, Eduardo Gabriel Virla, Su Wang, Trevor Williams, Lian-Sheng Zang, Lisheng Zhang, Kongming Wu
Summary: This article provides a comprehensive review of the fall armyworm, including its biology, worldwide status and spread, management strategies, and recommendations for sustainable management in invaded regions.
ENTOMOLOGIA GENERALIS
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Kanakachari Mogilicherla, Amrita Chakraborty, Clauvis Nji Tizi Taning, Guy Smagghe, Amit Roy
Summary: Termites are both keystone species in the ecosystem and pests with significant economic impacts. Scientists are exploring the use of RNAi technology to combat termites, but face challenges due to their social nature and habitats. Genome sequencing projects on termite species offer opportunities for designing RNAi-based termiticides. This perspective highlights existing RNAi-based studies on eusocial termite pests and discusses the prospects for RNAi-termiticides.
ENTOMOLOGIA GENERALIS
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Xingeng Wang, Jessica Faucher, Ramesh Kumar Dhandapani, Jian J. Duan, Subba Reddy Palli
Summary: This study investigated the impact of dsRNA-based insecticides on the survival and behavior of a parasitoid wasp. The results showed that direct injection of dsRNA did not affect the wasp's survival, but it indirectly affected the suitability and detectability of host larvae.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Anna R. Pasternak, Subba R. Palli
Summary: Kentucky experiences a high incidence of ehrlichiosis, primarily transmitted by the lone star tick. Surveillance of tick distribution and pathogen detection is crucial for monitoring the expansion of this important tick vector and the increase in tick-borne diseases.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shelja Sandal, Satnam Singh, Gulshan Bansal, Ramandeep Kaur, Kanakachari Mogilicherla, Suneet Pandher, Amit Roy, Gurmeet Kaur, Pankaj Rathore, Anu Kalia
Summary: This study used RNA-seq transcriptomics and RT-qPCR gene expression analysis to identify suitable reference genes and investigate RNA interference in the spotted bollworm. It was found that nanoparticle-shielded dsRNA can effectively silence target genes, indicating the potential of nanoparticle-based RNAi for pest management.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Samuel Pallis, Andrei Alyokhin, Brian Manley, Thais Rodrigues, Ethann Barnes, Kenneth Narva
Summary: The Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) is a major pest for potato crops. A new double-stranded RNA insecticide has been found effective in managing the beetle population through RNA interference. Low doses of the insecticide inhibit pupation in larvae and reduce mobility and fertility in adults, particularly in females, which can decrease the overall beetle population and hinder their movement and reproductive success.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Heng Jiang, Xiangkun Meng, Nan Zhang, Huichen Ge, Jiaping Wei, Kun Qian, Yang Zheng, Yoonseong Park, Subba Reddy Palli, Jianjun Wang
Summary: This study found that deltamethrin-induced oxidative stress activates AMPK, promoting the nuclear translocation of CncC through phosphorylation. CncC acts as a transcription activator of detoxification genes and regulates the expression of genes involved in ecdysteroid biosynthesis and juvenile hormone degradation. This results in increased ecdysteroid levels, decreased juvenile hormone titer, and down-regulated vitellogenin gene expression.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Aisha Naseer, Kanakachari Mogilicherla, Gothandapani Sellamuthu, Amit Roy
Summary: The Eurasian spruce bark beetle (ESBB) has caused catastrophic damage to Norway spruce forests in Europe, resulting in a significant loss of wood. Traditional forest management strategies have not been effective, and new measures are needed. This study aims to understand the physiology and adaptation of ESBB by analyzing gene expression in different life stages and tissues of the beetle. The findings provide insights into ESBB physiology and adaptation and can be used for future RNAi-based ESBB management.
FRONTIERS IN FORESTS AND GLOBAL CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jinmo Koo, Dhandapani Gurusamy, Subba Reddy Palli
Summary: There is limited success in using exogenous small interfering RNA (siRNA) or small hairpin RNA (shRNA) to trigger RNA interference (RNAi) in insects. Instead, long double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is used to induce gene knockdown in insects. In this study, the potency of si/sh RNAs and dsRNA was compared in Colorado potato beetle (CPB) cells. CPB cells showed a highly efficient RNAi response to dsRNA, but si/sh RNAs were inefficient in triggering RNAi in CPB cells.
ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yaoyu Jiao, Subba Reddy Palli
Summary: m6A methylation is a common modification of mRNA, which regulates multiple stages of mRNA processing. In this study, the role of m6A modification in insect development was explored using the red flour beetle as a model. Knockdown of m6A writers and readers disrupted ecdysis during eclosion, sterilized the insects, and affected egg laying and embryonic development.
INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
