Article
Entomology
Jerzy Romanowski, Piotr Ceryngier, Jaroslav Vetrovec, Karol Szawaryn
Summary: This study analyzes the ladybird beetle fauna of La Palma, one of the western islands of the Canary Islands. The survey recorded 26 species, including 7 new to La Palma and 2 new to the Canary Islands. The study confirms the frequent colonization of exotic ladybird species in the Canary Islands.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yu-Hao Huang, Xue-Yong Du, Pei-Tao Chen, Xue-Fei Tang, Sen-Rui Gong, Pei-Fang Zhang, Huan-Ying Yang, Patrick De Clercq, Hao-Sen Li, Hong Pang
Summary: This study explores the mechanism of pollinivory in the ladybird beetle Micraspis discolor and suggests that differentially expressed genes related to nutrient metabolism and cellulolytic bacteria may play a more important role in pollen digestion.
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhi Cheng, Da Wang, Shipeng Han, Cheng Zuo, Yunzhuan He
Summary: This study identified differentially expressed genes associated with thiamethoxam resistance in the seven-spot ladybird beetle through transcriptome sequencing. Up-regulation of certain metabolic enzymes and transport proteins, as well as down-regulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene, were observed in the resistant strain.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Romain Nattier, Alice Michel-Salzat, Lucia M. Almeida, Pascaline Chifflet-Belle, Alexandra Magro, Karen Salazar, Gael J. Kergoat
Summary: This study reconstructed a comprehensively sampled molecular phylogeny for the tribe Coccinellini, highlighting its monophyly and the existence of four major clades. Dating analyses suggest an Early Cretaceous origin for Coccinellidae and a Late Cretaceous origin for the tribe Coccinellini. Ancestral character state estimation of feeding habits indicates a high level of phylogenetic niche conservatism on aphids within the tribe.
SYSTEMATIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xueke Gao, Fangmei Hu, Shuai Zhang, Junyu Luo, Xiangzhen Zhu, Li Wang, Kaixin Zhang, Dongyang Li, Jichao Ji, Lin Niu, Changcai Wu, Jinjie Cui
Summary: This study revealed that glyphosate can reduce the body weight of H. axyridis, although it does not significantly impact its survival rate and development duration. Glyphosate treatment significantly altered the abundance and gene copy number of dominant bacteria in the endosymbiont community of H. axyridis.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Gabriele Rondoni, Alessandro Roman, Camille Meslin, Nicolas Montagne, Eric Conti, Emmanuelle Jacquin-Joly
Summary: Limited knowledge exists regarding the mechanisms underlying the sense of smell and taste in the predatory harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis. This study describes the first chemosensory gene repertoire expressed in the antennae of male and female H. axyridis, paving the way for future studies aiming at increasing the efficacy of biological control or reducing its populations in invasive areas.
Article
Entomology
Naoya Osawa
Summary: Many aphidophagous ladybird beetles lay clusters of eggs and sibling cannibalism occurs at hatching. The study found that developing eggs were larger than undeveloped sterile ones, and the hatchability of eggs was also associated with their size. This suggests that the production of relatively small sterile eggs serves as a circumstance-dependent maternal investment in improving the survival of first instar larvae.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kun Yang, Jirong Shi, Lei Wang, Yingzhi Chen, Chunyong Liang, Lei Yang, Lu-Ning Wang
Summary: Bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation pose significant challenges to the medical system and food safety. Anti-adhesion surface designs have been developed to reduce bacterial attachment, with modifications in surface pattern and roughness showing effectiveness in minimizing contact area and weakening initial adhesion forces.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Jingya Yu, Chong Li, Likun Dong, Runping Mao, Zhihua Wang, Zhangxin Pei, Letian Xu
Summary: Research shows that fluctuating thermal regimes (FTR) have a significant impact on the hatching rate of ladybird eggs, with recovery frequency and duration playing a crucial role. Additionally, a specific alkaloid pesticide from Sophora flavescens has low toxicity to ladybird eggs and is safe to use alongside this natural enemy.
Review
Entomology
John J. Sloggett
Summary: This paper reviews the effects of ladybird diet on chemical defense in this group of beetles, including autogenous production of alkaloids and sequestration of toxins from prey. The evidence for predators sequestering toxins from their prey is limited, and further research is needed to understand the costs and defensive value of accumulated toxins. The defensive value of pyrrolizidine alkaloids acquired from the ragwort aphid by ladybird predators is still not well-investigated. Additionally, understanding how ladybirds resist or tolerate defensive chemicals in their food is crucial to better understand the interaction between ladybird diet and chemical defense.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Amanda M. Palecek, Heiko L. Schoenfuss, Richard W. Blob
Summary: The study found that the passive adhesive performance of climbing gobies is influenced by species and substrate, with the strongest climbers exhibiting the highest shear pull-off forces on rough surfaces. Therefore, differences in adhesive performance may help explain the ability of species to migrate upstream and invade new habitats.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Ya-Nan Hao, Ming-Ling Li, Yu-Ping Gou, Yuan-Xing Sun
Summary: The consumption of conspecific eggs by neonate larvae of H. axyridis has beneficial effects on their subsequent development on artificial diet, and neither the age of eggs nor the age of ovipositing parents affects the cannibals' fitness. These findings provide new insights into the mass rearing of coccinellids by combining conspecific eggs and artificial diets.
EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL PEST CONTROL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ruslan Rushanovich Safin, Aigul Ravilevna Shaikhutdinova, Ruslan Khasanshin, Shamil Mukhametzyanov, Albina Safina
Summary: The study demonstrates that ultraviolet treatment can enhance the adhesion properties of thermally modified wood, while the two-stage processing significantly improves the moisture resistance of glued wood products.
Article
Psychology, Biological
Tripti Yadav, Omkar, Geetanjali Mishra
Summary: The cannibalistic tendencies of ladybird at different life stages are influenced by victim relatedness. Early life stages tend to cannibalize more sibling and non-sibling eggs, while fourth instars and adults show a higher preference for eggs regardless of relatedness. Kin recognition and avoidance of cannibalism are stage-specific.
BEHAVIOURAL PROCESSES
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ioanna Angelidou, Jakovos Demetriou, Maria Christou, Evangelos Koutsoukos, Christos Kazilas, Pantelis Georgiades, Konstantinos Kalaentzis, Dimitris C. Kontodimas, Quentin Groom, Helen E. Roy, Angeliki F. Martinou
Summary: The invasive species Harmonia axyridis, also known as the harlequin ladybird, has established stable populations in Greece since 2010. It is found in 13 administrative districts, including urban areas, agricultural habitats, and 17 NATURA 2000 sites. The article suggests the establishment of a national monitoring scheme to track and record the distribution and impact of this invasive species, as well as native ladybirds.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Thies H. Buescher, Dennis S. Petersen, Nienke N. Bijma, Fabian Baeumler, Christian W. W. Pirk, Sebastian Buesse, Lars Heepe, Stanislav N. Gorb
Summary: Bee lice are small parasitic flies that are adapted to live on bees. Their attachment system, particularly the feet morphology with strongly broadened claws, allows them to securely grip the fine hairs of the bee, ensuring their survival. The tarsal structure of the bee lice produces strong attachment forces, with safety factors around 1130, and enables both stability and fast detachment when needed.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Gianandrea Salerno, Manuela Rebora, Silvana Piersanti, Valerio Saitta, Elena Gorb, Stanislav Gorb
Summary: This study tests the hypothesis that specialized claws in some coccinellid beetles have evolved to interlock with flexible unbranched trichomes of different plants. The researchers compared the attachment ability of three beetle species with different claw shapes and found that plant trichomes can enhance insect attachment by increasing friction force, but this is dependent on trichome stiffness. The study also revealed that insects have evolved special claw structures to effectively grip soft trichomes.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY A-NEUROETHOLOGY SENSORY NEURAL AND BEHAVIORAL PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Silvana Piersanti, Valerio Saitta, Manuela Rebora, Gianandrea Salerno
Summary: This study describes the olfactory sensors on the antennae of phytophagous ladybird beetles and demonstrates their sensitivity to volatile organic compounds from host plants. The research also discusses the potential for developing sustainable control strategies based on semiochemicals.
ARTHROPOD-PLANT INTERACTIONS
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Julian Winand, Stanislav N. Gorb, Thies H. Buescher
Summary: Research on insect attachment devices and capabilities has been ongoing for decades, with significant progress made. This paper investigates the gripping forces of the stick insect Sungaya inexpectata and discovers a direct connection between the presence of claws and the adhesive performance of the distal adhesive pad. These observations demonstrate collective effects between different attachment devices and provide insight into the prevalence of two claws in most insects.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY A-NEUROETHOLOGY SENSORY NEURAL AND BEHAVIORAL PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Sarah Hayer, Beeke P. Sturm, Sebastian Busse, Thies H. Buscher, Stanislav N. Gorb
Summary: This study compares the attachment systems of two families of parasitic flies, Hippoboscidae and Nycteribiidae, and their specificity to the host substrate. The results show that their attachment systems differ greatly from other flies and are uniform within their respective families.
JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Judith Burack, Stanislav N. Gorb, Thies H. Buescher
Summary: Herbivorous insects and plants have influenced each other's evolution, resulting in the development of various adaptations. Stick insects have a well-adapted attachment system, and their attachment ability is affected by surface properties. The claws of the insects play a crucial role in attachment ability.
Article
Entomology
Rabiya Korkmaz, Hamed Rajabi, Shahab Eshghi, Stanislav N. Gorb, Thies H. Buescher
Summary: This study examined the frequency and characteristics of wing damage in the migratory butterfly Vanessa cardui. The results showed that the hindwings were more prone to damage than the forewings, with different patterns of damage on different wing margins. This study provides insights into the potential strategies for coping with wing damage in migratory insects.
Article
Entomology
Valerio Saitta, Manuela Rebora, Silvana Piersanti, Elena Gorb, Stanislav Gorb, Gianandrea Salerno
Summary: This study investigates the attachment ability of the oligophagous melon ladybird beetle Chnootriba elaterii to leaves of several Cucurbitaceae species. The findings suggest that glandular trichomes do not affect insect attachment ability, but dense, short, and flexible non-glandular trichomes heavily reduce the attachment ability of both adult and larval insects. Understanding the mechanical interaction and chemical cues involved in host plant selection can help unravel the complex coevolution between phytophagous insects and their host plant species.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Thies H. Buescher, Stanislav N. Gorb
Summary: Biologists are needed for stronger engagement in biomimetic engineering. The strength of using biological systems for inspiration lies in extracting core principles from similarly functioning systems that have solved the same problem in evolution. We compared adhesive systems in plant seeds and insect eggs to evaluate their properties and functional principles. Despite similarities, the two systems differ in surface structures and adherence reliability. This comparison can inform engineers working on technical adhesive systems.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Thies H. Buescher, J. Rene Harper, Neeraja Sripada, Stanislav N. Gorb, Janice S. Edgerly, Sebastian Buesse
Summary: The true bugs exhibit diverse lifestyles, including exploiting other organisms. Plokiophilidae are cimicomorphan bugs that live in the silk constructions of other arthropods. A specific group, Embiophila, settles exclusively in the silk colonies of webspinners. Through microscopy and various experiments, the researchers found that Embiophila does not rely explicitly on embiopteran presence or silk for locomotion, but prefers fibrous substrates and shows strong attachment ability on rough surfaces. The bugs settle in webspinner galleries for shelter, protection against predators, and to feed on mites and intruders.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexander Dupond Larsen, Thies H. Buescher, Thirawat Chuthong, Thipawan Pairam, Hendrik Bethge, Stanislav N. Gorb, Poramate Manoonpong
Summary: The investigation of neural control mechanisms for the self-organized locomotion of insects and hexapod robots can provide useful information for other fields. The Annam stick insect is used as a template to develop a biorobotic model for walking self-organization with heterogeneous leg lengths. By utilizing decentralized neural central pattern generation and feedback modulation, adaptive base patterns and coordinated leg movements are generated. The findings are validated by constructing a robot with heterogeneous leg lengths.
ADVANCED THEORY AND SIMULATIONS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Manuela Rebora, Gianandrea Salerno, Silvana Piersanti, Valerio Saitta, Elena Gorb, Stanislav N. Gorb
Summary: This research investigated the adaptation ability of egg parasitoids to surface features of host eggs, and found that the females have a special attachment ability to host eggs.
FRONTIERS IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING-SWITZERLAND
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Romain P. Boisseau, Thies H. Buescher, Lexi J. Klawitter, Stanislav N. Gorb, Douglas J. Emlen, Bret W. Tobalske
Summary: By combining empirical measures of flight performance and modeling of body aerodynamics, we find that large body size impairs flight performance in male leaf insects. Smaller males are more agile in the air and ascend more rapidly during flight. Our models suggest that variation in body shape affects body lift and drag, but flight costs may not explain the evolution of sexual dimorphism in this species. Additionally, empirical measurements and modeling indicate that smaller males have a lower risk of detaching from substrates when walking and landing.
BMC ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
