Review
Agronomy
Jolanta Kowalska, Malgorzata Antkowiak, Pawel Sienkiewicz
Summary: Flower strips are increasingly used as part of agri-environmental programs to reduce pressure on agroecosystems and prevent the decline of species diversity. They have the potential to increase functional biodiversity and provide ecosystem services.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elahe Parvizi, Manpreet K. Dhami, Juncong Yan, Angela McGaughran
Summary: Invasive species such as the brown marmorated stink bug pose a threat to ecosystems and agriculture due to their rapid adaptation and expansion. This study reveals the genomic mechanisms behind the global invasion success of the brown marmorated stink bug. The findings suggest a complex invasion scenario with multiple bridgehead events, and highlight the potential for the evolution of insecticide resistance. The study emphasizes the need for sustainable and targeted management strategies.
Article
Plant Sciences
Petra Borotova, Lucia Galovicova, Nenad L. Vukovic, Milena Vukic, Simona Kunova, Pawel Hanus, Przemyslaw Lukasz Kowalczewski, Ladislav Bakay, Miroslava Kacaniova
Summary: The essential oil from Litsea cubeba has strong antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-insect properties, making it a potential natural additive for food preservation. The main volatile organic compounds in the oil are geranial, neral, and limonene. It shows strong inhibition against bacteria and fungi.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Md Mahfuzur Rahman, Bibek Byanju, Buddhi P. P. Lamsal
Summary: Edible insects are widely accepted as food and feed ingredients due to their rich biodiversity of protein and lipid profiles. The extraction methods for insect protein, lipid, and chitin, their functional properties, and potential applications in food and feed preparations are discussed in this paper.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joaquin C. B. Nunez, Stephen Rong, Alejandro Damian-Serrano, John T. Burley, Rebecca G. Elyanow, David A. Ferranti, Kimberly B. Neil, Henrik Glenner, Magnus Alm Rosenblad, Anders Blomberg, Kerstin Johannesson, David M. Rand
Summary: Studies show that 4% of genes in the barnacle genome undergo balancing selection across the entire range of the species, involving functions such as ion regulation, pain reception, and heat tolerance. The data also reveal complex population structure and high divergence between Atlantic and Pacific populations.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biology
Noah H. Rose, Rachael A. Bay, Megan K. Morikawa, Luke Thomas, Elizabeth A. Sheets, Stephen R. Palumbi
Summary: Reef-building coral species are experiencing a significant decline due to increasing heatwaves and bleaching-induced mortality. Differences in heat tolerance and symbiont associations exist among closely related species within the Acropora hyacinthus species complex, with genetic differences observed among cryptic species during the 2015 bleaching event. Strong differences in single nucleotide polymorphisms and specific genetic regions contribute to the resilience to bleaching, with host cryptic species playing a key role in determining bleaching susceptibility during global events.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Pramila Sharma, Sanjay Kumar, Axita Patel, Bhaskar Datta, Robert K. DeLong
Summary: The world is facing a global problem of managing scarce resources efficiently due to an overpopulated population. Nanomaterials have shown great potential in various sectors including agriculture, environmental protection, and health care, with applications such as plant defense, stress management, and ecological investigations. The upsurge in research activities in nanomaterials is evident from the increasing publications worldwide, highlighting the need for concrete and urgent solutions to address these pressing issues.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Lizhen Guo, Min Tang, Shiqi Luo, Xin Zhou
Summary: In this study, a class of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) called Cecropin was identified from insect transcriptomes using bioinformatics. The identified Cecropin genes were found in several insects and their antimicrobial activity against bacteria was validated. This study provides a reliable analytical method for the discovery of AMPs, which have promising applications in diverse fields.
Article
Microbiology
Justin C. Podowski, Sara F. Paver, Ryan J. Newton, Maureen L. Coleman
Summary: Microorganisms play critical roles in Earth's nitrogen cycle. However, little is known about freshwater nitrifiers. In this study, genomes of freshwater nitrifiers in the Laurentian Great Lakes were reconstructed, revealing their unique biodiversity and filling important knowledge gaps.
Review
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Tianyue Jin, Jingchun Tang, Honghong Lyu, Lan Wang, Alexis B. Gillmore, Sean M. Schaeffer
Summary: This review summarizes the origins, migration, and fate of microplastics in agricultural soils, discusses the interaction between microplastics and the components in farmland, and explores the impacts on ecosystems. It also highlights the effects on farmland ecosystem function, including agricultural product supply, food chain pathways, carbon deposition, nitrogen cycling, and soil and water conservation.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Julia Fuerst, Kurt Bollmann, Martin M. Gossner, Peter Duelli, Martin K. Obrist
Summary: Recent studies have shown declines in arthropod biomass, abundance, and species diversity, raising concerns for research and conservation. However, long-term repeated surveys of arthropods are rare. In this study, arthropod fauna was sampled over 32 years in a Swiss agricultural landscape, and the results showed an increase in biomass, abundance, and species richness in 2019 compared to previous years. Factors such as improved habitat quality, stable landscape composition, and climate warming likely contributed to these positive trends. The findings highlight the context-dependency and complexity of arthropod community changes over time.
JOURNAL OF INSECT CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Thomas J. Colgan, Andres N. Arce, Richard J. Gill, Ana Ramos Rodrigues, Abdoulie Kanteh, Elizabeth J. Duncan, Li Li, Lars Chittka, Yannick Wurm
Summary: This study analyzed the genomes of Bombus terrestris bumblebees in Great Britain and found genetic diversity within the population as well as signatures of recent adaptation affecting key processes. Unusual genomic features were also discovered, indicating the resilience of this pollinator species to future pressures. Applying this approach to other species can help understand their adaptive potential and develop conservation strategies.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Edson Ishengoma
Summary: Africa is the birthplace of humankind and home to the most diverse wildlife and flora. Understanding genetic variation and adaptation is crucial for the sustainable utilization of Africa's biodiversity. Despite a lag in genomics research, African scientists are increasingly interested in using omics technology to study native African species. This overview on vertebrate biodiversity in Africa aims to provide insights from prior genomics research and guide future studies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Olle Lindestad, Soren Nylin, Christopher W. Wheat, Karl Gotthard
Summary: Geographical variation in voltinism, the number of generations produced per year, has been observed in many insect species. This study used population genomics to compare nine Scandinavian populations of the butterfly Pararge aegeria with different life cycle traits along both north-south and east-west clines. The results identified candidate genes related to the insect circadian clock, including a novel gene deletion in a single population. This research adds to the understanding of circadian gene variation as a potential mechanism for generating local adaptation of life cycles.
Article
Entomology
Ana Montalban, Silvia Martinez-Miro, Achille Schiavone, Josefa Madrid, Fuensanta Hernandez
Summary: The study assessed the bioconversion ability of Tenebrio molitor larvae using three types of agricultural by-products as feed. The results showed that the by-products can be used as part of the diet for T. molitor rearing, but not as the exclusive ingredients. This suggests promising opportunities for utilizing agricultural by-products in T. molitor rearing and production.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Huoqing Zheng, Shuai Wang, Yuqi Wu, Shengmei Zou, Vincent Dietemann, Peter Neumann, Yanping Chen, Hongmei Li-Byarlay, Christian Pirk, Jay Evans, Fuliang Hu, Ye Feng
Summary: This study investigated the host shift of the parasitic mite Varroa destructor from Eastern honey bees to Western honey bees. The researchers identified genetic differences between the mites on different hosts and found significant differences in gene expression during the reproduction process. Genes associated with oogenesis were found to be key genetic determinants of the mite's success on the new host.
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Julian Resasco, Melissa A. Burt, John L. Orrock, Nick M. Haddad, DeWayne Shoemaker, Douglas J. Levey
Summary: A study found that the effects of ecological corridors on invasive ants are transient, with the differences in fire ant density and native ant species richness between connected and unconnected habitat patches decreasing over time.
ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
H. Siviter, A. Fisher, B. Baer, M. J. F. Brown, I. F. Camargo, J. Cole, Y. Le Conte, B. Dorin, J. D. Evans, W. Farina, J. Fine, L. R. Fischer, M. P. D. Garratt, T. C. Giannini, T. Giray, H. Li-Byarlay, M. M. Lopez-Uribe, J. C. Nieh, K. Przybyla, N. E. Raine, A. M. Ray, G. Singh, M. Spivak, K. Traynor, K. M. Kapheim, J. F. Harrison
Summary: Global declines in pollinators pose a threat to food production and natural ecosystems, with complex drivers including pesticide use, habitat loss, pathogen proliferation from commercial beekeeping, and climate change. Addressing and reversing these declines will require a multidisciplinary approach and international cooperation.
Article
Entomology
Evan C. Palmer-Young, Rosemary Malfi, Yujun Zhou, Bryanna Joyce, Hannah Whitehead, Jennifer Van Wyk, Kathy Baylis, Kyle Grubbs, Dawn L. Boncristiani, Jay D. Evans, Rebecca E. Irwin, Lynn S. Adler
Summary: Landscapes can play a role in parasite control in wild and agricultural animals. Honey bees are threatened by parasites and the viruses they carry, and current control methods often harm bees. This study found that landscapes with sunflower crops and pollen supplementation can reduce Varroa mite infestation in honey bees. This suggests the potential for using sunflower plantings or pollen supplements to counteract honey bee losses globally.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yi Zhang, Andrew Liu, Shao Kang Huang, Jay D. Evans, Steve C. Cook, Evan Palmer-Young, Miguel Corona, Mohamed Alburaki, Ge Liu, Ri Chou Han, Wen Feng Li, Yue Hao, Ji Lian Li, Todd M. Gilligan, Allan H. Smith-Pardo, Olubukola Banmeke, Francisco J. Posada-Florez, Ya Hui Gao, Gloria DeGrandi-Hoffman, Hui Chun Xie, Alex M. Sadzewicz, Michele Hamilton, Yan Ping Chen
Summary: Honey bees are important for pollination and carbon dioxide removal, but their population has been declining. This study reveals that winter colony losses are mainly due to weakened immune function leading to disease infections. Activation of the SIRT1 gene expression improves bee physiology and extends lifespan.
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH
(2023)
Correction
Entomology
H. Siviter, A. Fisher, B. Baer, M. J. F. Brown, I. F. Camargo, J. Cole, Y. Le Conte, B. Dorin, J. D. Evans, W. Farina, J. Fine, L. R. Fischer, M. P. D. Garratt, T. C. Giannini, T. Giray, H. Li-Byarlay, M. M. Lopez-Uribe, J. C. Nieh, K. Przybyla, N. E. Raine, A. M. Ray, G. Singh, M. Spivak, K. Traynor, K. M. Kapheim, J. F. Harrison
Article
Entomology
James P. Strange, Amber D. Tripodi, Craig Huntzinger, Joyce Knoblett, Ellen Klinger, James D. Herndon, Hoang Q. Vuong, Quinn S. McFrederick, Rebecca E. Irwin, Jay D. Evans, Jonathan J. Giacomini, Robert Ward, Lynn S. Adler
Summary: Pollen is an essential component of bee diets, but there is currently no artificial diet or economical method for large-scale pollen collection from flowers. The provenance of honey bee-collected pollen is often unknown and may cross international borders. This study tested three sterilization methods and found that ethylene oxide fumigation had the highest sterilizing properties under commercial conditions while maintaining palatability and supporting bee development.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nathaniel S. Pope, Avehi Singh, Anna K. Childers, Karen M. Kapheim, Jay D. Evans, Margarita M. Lopez-Uribe
Summary: The expansion of agriculture has transformed diverse natural environments into agroecosystems dominated by a few crop species, creating potential niches for species that can utilize crop plants. The impact of agricultural intensification on the evolution of crop mutualists like pollinators is poorly understood, but this study combines genomic data and archaeological records to show that the demographic history of a wild pollinator species has been significantly impacted by agricultural expansion in North America.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nonno Hasegawa, Maeva A. Techer, Noureddine Adjlane, Muntasser Sabah al-Hissnawi, Karina Antunez, Alexis Beaurepaire, Krisztina Christmon, Helene Delatte, Usman H. Dukku, Nurit Eliash, Mogbel A. A. El-Niweiri, Olivier Esnault, Jay D. Evans, Nizar J. Haddad, Barbara Locke, Irene Munoz, Gregoire Noel, Delphine Panziera, John M. K. Roberts, Pilar De la Rua, Mohamed A. Shebl, Zoran Stanimirovic, David A. Rasmussen, Alexander S. Mikheyev
Summary: This study used phylogeographic analysis based on whole-genome data to reconstruct the origins and spread of deformed wing viruses (DWV) transmitted by the varroa mite. The results suggest that DWV-A likely originated in East Asia and spread in the mid-20th century, while DWV-B was acquired more recently from a source outside East Asia and appears to be absent from the original varroa host.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biology
Evan C. Palmer-Young, Eugene V. Ryabov, Lindsey M. Markowitz, Dawn L. Boncristiani, Kyle Grubbs, Asha Pawar, Raymond Peterson, Jay D. Evans
Summary: The temperature dependence of infection reflects changes in performance of parasites and hosts. High temperatures often mitigate infection by favoring heat-tolerant hosts over heat-sensitive parasites. Honey bees exhibit endothermic thermoregulation-rare among insects-that can favor resistance to parasites. The temperature dependence of pupal infection matched that of pupal development, falling only near pupae's upper thermal limits. Deformed Wing Virus best infects honey bee pupae at temperatures optimal for pupal development-not for viral enzymes-suggesting host facilitation of virus replication, and tradeoffs between infection resistance and bee survival.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Kaitlin R. Deutsch, Jason R. Graham, Humberto F. Boncristiani, Tomas Bustamante, Ashley N. Mortensen, Daniel R. Schmehl, Ashlyn E. Wedde, Dawn L. Lopez, Jay D. Evans, James D. Ellis
Summary: Pollinators have experienced significant declines in the past decade, partly due to emerging infectious diseases. Previous studies primarily focused on pathogens in honey bees, but recent research has shown that these pathogens also infect other pollinators and negatively impact their health. This study surveyed honey bees, native bees, and wasps for 13 honey bee-associated pathogens and found that at least one honey bee-associated pathogen was present in 53% of native bee and wasp samples. The most commonly detected pathogens were the microsporidian Nosema ceranae, the bacterium Melissococcus plutonius, and the viruses deformed wing virus and black queen cell virus.
JOURNAL OF INVERTEBRATE PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Eugene V. Ryabov, Anthony J. Nearman, Ashrafun Nessa, Kyle Grubbs, Benjamin Sallmann, Rachel Fahey, Mikayla E. Wilson, Karen D. Rennich, Nathalie Steinhauer, Anne Marie Fauvel, Yanping Chen, Jay D. Evans, Dennis Vanengelsdorp
Summary: A novel RNA virus, AmSV1, was identified in honey bees from an apiary with high rates of unexplained colony losses. This virus causes systemic infection in worker bees and has been present since at least 2010. Diagnostic methods and distribution information of AmSV1 will be used to investigate its connection to honey bee colony losses.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Miriam H. H. Richards, Jay D. D. Evans, Francisco J. J. Posada-Florez
Summary: Insect sociobiology examines why and how certain species of insects transitioned from solitary lifestyles to living in social groups. The study focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of cooperation and group living in insects, particularly eusocial insects like honeybees, ants, and termites, which live in large colonies with a queen and numerous workers.
JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Steven C. Cook, Eugene V. Ryabov, Christian Becker, Curtis W. Rogers, Francisco Posada-Florez, Jay D. Evans, Yan Ping Chen
Summary: In this study, researchers found that cold plasma ionized hydrogen peroxide (iHP) can effectively inactivate deformed wing virus (DWV) in honey bees, reducing its infectivity and incidence. Compared to other viral inactivation methods, iHP treatment is simpler and safer. Treating DWV-contaminated hive substrates with iHP, even with honey bees present, may be an effective way to reduce the impact of DWV infection on honey bees.
FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biology
Qiang Huang, Sheina B. Sim, Scott M. Geib, Anna Childers, Junfeng Liu, Xiuxiu Wei, Wensu Han, Francisco Posada-Florez, Allen Z. Xue, Zheng Li, Jay D. Evans
Summary: In this study, the chromosome-level genome assembly of the small hive beetle (SHB) was completed for the first time. The features of SHB sex chromosomes and the asymmetry of the primary sex ratio were analyzed using this annotated assembly. The genome-enabled insights are critical for understanding the successful traits of SHB and determining the causes of observed sex ratio asymmetries.
Article
Biology
Erika Machtinger, Karen C. Poh, Risa Pesapane, Danielle M. Tufts
Summary: Vector-borne diseases, transmitted by insects, are a significant threat to global human and animal health. Their emergence is influenced by factors such as environmental changes, host characteristics, and human behavior. The One Health approach is necessary to comprehensively investigate tick-borne diseases and understand the complex interactions between environmental, animal, and human health.
CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Biology
Pablo Urbaneja-Bernat, Alejandro Tena, Joel Gonzalez-Cabrera, Cesar Rodriguez-Saona
Summary: This article reviews the potential role of plant guttation as a food source for natural enemies, discussing its nutritional value, effects on insect communities, and potential use in conservation biological control.
CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Biology
Alina A. Mikhailova, Sarah Rinke, Mark C. Harrison
Summary: The genomes of eusocial insects allow the production and regulation of highly distinct phenotypes, largely independent of genotype. Eusociality has evolved convergently in at least three insect orders, but eusocial phenotypes show remarkable similarity. Increased regulatory complexity and the adaptive evolution of chemical communication are common genomic signatures of eusociality. Colony life itself can shape genomes of divergent taxa in a similar manner.
CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Biology
Dequn Teng, Wei Zhang
Summary: Butterfly wings, with their rich phenotypic diversity and complex biological functions, serve as a crucial system for studying the genetic basis and evolution of phenotypic diversification. Recent studies have revealed the complex functions and genetic and environmental factors involved in determining wing patterns. These factors lead to inter-specific divergence, genetic polymorphism, and phenotypic plasticity, often controlled by key genes. Gene co-option has also been identified as an important mechanism for functional complexity and evolutionary novelty. However, further research is needed for a systematic and comprehensive understanding.
CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE
(2024)
