Article
Evolutionary Biology
Ana Mitrovski-Bogdanovic, Milana Mitrovic, Marijana Ilic Milosevic, Vladimir Zikic, Aiman Jamhour, Ana Ivanovic, Zeljko Tomanovic
Summary: The study analyzed and compared the patterns of molecular and morphological divergence in European parasitoid wasps of the genus Aphidius Nees, 1818, identifying significant phylogenetic lineages. Despite some low resolution in molecular data, there was still a correlation between morphological variance and molecular evolution in certain well-defined groups.
ORGANISMS DIVERSITY & EVOLUTION
(2021)
Review
Entomology
Zeljko Tomanovic, Nickolas G. Kavallieratos, Zhengpei Ye, Erifili P. Nika, Andjeljko Petrovic, Ines M. G. Vollhardt, Christoph Vorburger
Summary: This review summarizes the current knowledge on the taxonomy, biodiversity, and ecology of cereal aphid parasitoids in Europe. The study presents approaches to studying aphid-parasitoid-hyperparasitoid food webs and the effects of secondary endosymbionts on parasitoid community composition. It also reviews the impacts of agricultural practices, environmental variation, and landscape complexity on cereal aphid food webs and biological control.
Article
Agronomy
Andjeljko Petrovic, Nicolas Perez Hidalgo, Jose Manuel Michelena Saval, Zeljko Tomanovic
Summary: In this study, a new plant-feeding wasp Aphidius erodii sp. n. associated with the herbaceous ornamental plants and strawberry pest Acyrthosiphon malvae is described. Diagnosis of Aphidius erodii sp. n. was based on the COI barcode gene and morphological traits, with illustrations provided. Additionally, the phylogenetic relationships of all Aphidius species parasitizing A. malvae in Europe were discussed.
Article
Entomology
Lucas Maniero Rodrigues, Adriano Gomes Garcia, Jose Roberto Postali Parra
Summary: The study investigated the fertility life table of the Neotropical brown stink bug and identified climatically favorable areas for its population growth in Brazil. The results showed that the temperature range of 25 to 28 degrees Celsius and relative humidity above 70% are the most suitable conditions for the bug's growth. The northern and Midwest regions in Brazil, particularly the state of Mato Grosso, are most likely to be attacked by this pest.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Shenhang Cheng, Ronghua Lin, Caihong Yu, Rui Sun, Hui Jiang
Summary: Seven commonly used pesticides were tested for their toxicity effects on the parasitoid Aphidius gifuensis, with thiamethoxam and dinotefuran showing the highest toxicity. The study also found that certain pesticides had a greater impact on the survival and parasitism of adults at different time points. Additionally, the egg and larval stages of the parasitoid were more susceptible to pesticides compared to the pupal stage.
Article
Forestry
Jacques Regniere, Remi Saint-Amant, Jean-Claude Thireau, Pierre Therrien, Christian Hebert, Veronique Martel
Summary: The article develops temperature-driven models to describe the seasonal interactions between parasitoids and hosts, exploring the impact of climate on their spatiotemporal biology. It predicts the performance of parasitoids in response to temperature affecting seasonal development of hosts, with spatial variations and improved performance under climate change in the northern portion of its range.
Article
Zoology
Zeljko Tomanovic, Andjeljko Petrovic, Korana Kocic, Jelisaveta Ckrkic, Alice Casiraghi, Jose M. Michelena Saval
Summary: This article describes two new species of cone snails, Falciconus hispanicus sp. n. from Spain and Monoctonus montenegrinus sp. n. from high mountain habitats of Montenegro. The authors discuss the main diagnostic characters of these new species and their associations with host plant-host aphid.
Article
Entomology
Yunzhe Song, Changming Liu, Pumo Cai, Weibin Chen, Yaqing Guo, Jia Lin, Shufang Zhang
Summary: The study found that Aphis gifuensis is significantly attracted to damaged tobacco plants, especially under specific conditions; aphid density has a greater impact on their response; Aphis gifuensis is more active in searching for aphid hosts during the daytime.
JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Jekaterina Havelka, Maryna Kaliuzhna, Jurij Danilov, Rimantas Rakauskas
Summary: Based on original research data from Lithuania, this study documents ten species of aphid parasitoids of the genus Pauesia, with seven newly recorded. Analyses of DNA sequences suggest potential new species, indicating a high level of genetic diversity within these parasitoids. Further research is needed to fully understand the evolutionary relationships and diversity within this group.
ORGANISMS DIVERSITY & EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Alexander Gaffke, Maritza Romero, Hans Alborn
Summary: Entomopathogenic nematodes can choose suitable insect hosts based on both innate and learned preferences, and the presence of plant volatiles can affect their infection efficiency.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Farnaz Hosseini, Hossein Lotfalizadeh, Ehsan Rakhshani, Majid Norouzi, Nathan J. Butterworth, Mohammadreza Dadpour
Summary: The study evaluated the usefulness of wing interference patterns and colors in taxonomy, showing that both qualitative and quantitative measurements can discriminate different taxa at the genus and species level. Despite some slight qualitative differences between sexes, quantitative measurements were not sexually dimorphic.
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTIONARY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Elena M. Davidian, Andranik R. Manukyan, Sergey A. Belokobylskij
Summary: A new genus and species of aphid parasitoid, Protoctonus groehni Davidian, were described from Late Eocene Baltic amber. This new genus is similar to several fossil and extant genera, but can be distinguished by differences in antennomeres, fore wing venation, propodeum areolation, and shape and setosity of the ovipositor sheath.
Article
Entomology
Kevin Tougeron, Louise Ferrais, Marie-Eve Renard, Thierry Hance
Summary: The study revealed that fluctuating temperatures have a significant impact on fitness indicators of the rosy apple aphid and its parasitoid, with benefits such as shorter development times and increased longevity. However, the effects of temperature on fecundity, mass, and size varied.
Article
Entomology
Lan Wei, Mao-Fa Yang, Ning Huang, Hou-Ding Ou, Xiu-Qin Wang, Yao Huang, Xiao-Fei Yu
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of cold storage after acclimation on the fitness of H. hebetor. The results showed that cold storage had no significant effect on the offspring fitness. It is recommended to use unrefrigerated males or to avoid simultaneous cold storage of males and females for effective pest control.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Liesbet Wilberts, Jozsef Vuts, John C. Caulfield, Gareth Thomas, David M. Withall, Felix Wackers, Michael A. Birkett, Hans Jacquemyn, Bart Lievens
Summary: This study found that inoculating sweet pepper plants with entomopathogenic fungus can alter the behavior of parasitoid wasps, accelerating their localization of aphids and thus improving biocontrol efficacy.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Muhammad Mubashir Saeed, Kevin Tougeron, Abu Bakar Muhammad Raza, Muhammad Afzal, Anjum Aqueel, Guillaume Jean Le Goff, Francois Renoz, Jennifer Pirotte, Thierry Hance
Summary: Diapause is an adaptation that insects use to synchronize their life cycles with seasonal changes in climate and resources. Short day-length conditions, low temperatures, and maternal effects have been found to increase diapause induction.
Correction
Ecology
K. Tougeron, J. van Baaren, J. Town, D. Nordin, T. Dumonceaux, T. Wist
EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY
(2021)
Letter
Ecology
Kevin Tougeron
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Kevin Tougeron, Louise Ferrais, Marie-Eve Renard, Thierry Hance
Summary: The study revealed that fluctuating temperatures have a significant impact on fitness indicators of the rosy apple aphid and its parasitoid, with benefits such as shorter development times and increased longevity. However, the effects of temperature on fecundity, mass, and size varied.
Article
Entomology
Mey Jerbi-Elayed, Vincent Foray, Kevin Tougeron, Kaouthar Grissa-Lebdi, Thierry Hance
Summary: Developmental temperature has a significant impact on the expression of traits in insect species, influencing factors such as mass, surface-volume ratio, lipid accumulation, and heat tolerance. Parasitoids reared at 20 degrees Celsius displayed better adult survival rates, and those developed at 20 degrees Celsius exhibited the highest heat stupor threshold, indicating potential adaptations to thermal conditions.
Article
Microbiology
Corentin Iltis, Kevin Tougeron, Thierry Hance, Philippe Louapre, Vincent Foray
Summary: Temperature plays a significant role in influencing the ecology and evolution of insect-microbe holobionts, but the current understanding of the impacts of complex thermal fluctuations experienced by these organisms in nature is limited. This lack of knowledge may hinder our ability to predict the effects of climate change on mutualistic interactions.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Kevin Tougeron
Summary: This letter discusses the concept of dormancy and raises concerns about its stability and external influences. Using examples such as diapause in arthropods, the author emphasizes the cautious approach needed when considering the stability of dormant organisms. The study also mentions the role of sleep in animals and microbial symbionts in questioning the notions of internal environment and homeostasis, proposing a reevaluation in the context of species interactions.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Lucy Alford, Sacha Roudine, Jean-Sebastien Pierre, Francoise Burel, Joan van Baaren
Summary: This study compared the physiological thermotolerance and behavioral thermoregulation of carabid beetles in different landscape contexts. The results showed that landscape composition influenced the cold tolerance of carabid beetles, but the effect was reduced in larger beetles due to their greater mobility. Burrowing behavior was found to be the main behavioral response to cold stress, significantly raising carabid body temperature.
Article
Biology
Kevin Tougeron, Corentin Iltis
Summary: Beneficial microorganisms play a crucial role in shaping the evolutionary trajectories of their host organisms, particularly in their colonization of new ecological niches. The response of insect-microbe associations to rising temperatures is a convincing example, with the presence of certain symbiotic microorganisms contributing to insect resilience under heat stress conditions. This meta-analysis examines the impacts of symbionts on aphid phenotype in both benign and stressful heat conditions, and the findings suggest that heat-tolerant symbionts can enhance aphid fitness under heat stress.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Perumal Vivekanandhan, Kannan Swathy, Lucy Alford, Sarayut Pittarate, Subramanian Panchu Ravindra Rajan Subala, Supamit Mekchay, Dilipan Elangovan, Patcharin Krutmuang
Summary: This study examines the antioxidant and detoxifying enzyme defense systems of the pest insect Spodoptera litura in response to infection by Metarhizium flavoviride. The results show that M. flavoviride directly affects S. litura's immune system and leads to decreased immunity. The entomopathogenic fungus may be an effective alternative to synthetic chemical tools in controlling S. litura larvae.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alice C. Hughes, Kevin Tougeron, Dominic A. Martin, Filippo Menga, Bruno H. P. Rosado, Sebastian Villasante, Shweta Madgulkar, Fernando Goncalves, Davide Geneletti, Luisa Maria Diele-Viegas, Sebastian Berger, Sheila R. Colla, Vitor de Andrade Kamimura, Holly Caggiano, Felipe Melo, Marcelo Guilherme de Oliveira Dias, Elke Kellner, Edivando Vitor do Couto
Summary: The blame on human population as the main cause of biodiversity loss is not true. The growth of commodities for export, particularly soybean and oil-palm, primarily for livestock feed or biofuel consumption in higher income economies, is the actual driver of habitat loss. Instead of population, reducing unsustainable consumption, tracking supply chains, technological innovation, and ensuring sustainable production are the key measures for biodiversity conservation.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biodiversity Conservation
Alice C. Hughes, Kevin Tougeron, Dominic A. Martin, Filippo Menga, Bruno H. P. Rosado, Sebastian Villasante, Shweta Madgulkar, Fernando Gonsalves, Luisa Maria Diele-Viegas, Sheila R. Colla, Vitor de Andrade Kamimura, Holly Caggiano, Felipe Melo, Marcelo Guilherme de Oliveira Dias, Elke Kellner, Edivando Vitor do Couto
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Vivekanandhan Perumal, Swathy Kannan, Lucy Alford, Sarayut Pittarate, Ruchika Geedi, Dilipan Elangovan, Ramachandran Marimuthu, Patcharin Krutmuang
Summary: This study aimed to isolate, identify, and evaluate the virulence of bag-formulated entomopathogenic fungi against insect pests, as well as investigate their impact on non-target species. The results showed that high concentrations of the fungal conidia had a high mortality rate on Spodoptera frugiperda, while low concentrations had no sublethal effects on the earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vivekanandhan Perumal, Swathy Kannan, Lucy Alford, Sarayut Pittarate, Supamit Mekchay, Gadi V. P. Reddy, Dilipan Elangovan, Ramachandran Marimuthu, Patcharin Krutmuang
Summary: Insect pests pose a significant threat to human health and agriculture. The overuse of chemical insecticides has led to resistance in target organisms and negative effects on the environment and human health. This study investigates the potential of using entomopathogenic fungi as a greener and more target-specific method of insect pest control. The results demonstrate that the chemical constituents of Metarhizium anisopliae fungi exhibit anti-plasmodial and larvicidal effects on malaria parasites and insect pests, without harming non-target organisms.
ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
K. Tougeron, J. van Baaren, J. Town, D. Nordin, T. Dumonceaux, T. Wist
Summary: The study investigated the plasticity in body coloration of English-grain aphids, demonstrating that their color-change is controlled by light intensity and can be reversed quickly. This adaptive plasticity allows aphids to respond to shifts in environmental conditions and is fully reversible, even in adulthood.
EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY
(2021)