Article
Genetics & Heredity
Edeline Gagnon, Ludwig Baldaszti, Peter Moonlight, Sandra Knapp, Caroline E. R. Lehmann, Tiina Sarkinen
Summary: We compared the evolution and ecological niche patterns of different geophytic organs in Solanum L. and found that geophytic species mainly occur in drier areas, with rhizomatous species found in the hottest areas and species with USOs restricted to cooler areas in the montane tropics. Rhizomatous species seem to adapt to fire-driven disturbance, while species with USOs appear to adapt to prolonged climatic disturbance such as unfavorable growing conditions due to drought and cold.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Mustafa Yaman, Renate Radek
Summary: This study aimed to investigate and document the electron microscopic features of the oocyst of Adelina melolonthae, a coccidian pathogen of the European cockchafer. The study confirmed the identification of A. melolonthae as a separate species based on its morphology and ultrastructure compared with other Adelina and coccidian species infecting insects.
ACTA PARASITOLOGICA
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Siti Umey Syahirah Mat Nawang, Fui Fui Ching, Shigeharu Senoo
Summary: The study describes the development of morphology, sensory organs, and behavioral changes in Amur catfish larvae from 0 h after hatching to 20 days after hatching. The larvae exhibit different swimming behaviors and developmental changes in their eyes, taste buds, and neuromasts. The findings suggest that the development of morphology, sensory organs, and behavior in Amur catfish larvae are interconnected and progress as the larvae age.
AQUACULTURE REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Cristian Sitar, Lucian Barbu-Tudoran, Oana Teodora Moldovan
Summary: The study focuses on the morphology and ultrastructure of larvae of Duvalius cave beetles, aiming to expand knowledge on these species for conservation and management purposes. The larvae of two species were collected from caves in the Romanian Carpathians, providing valuable insights into their rare characteristics and limited distribution.
Article
Agronomy
Barna Putnoky-Csicso, Ferenc Toth, Janos Balint, Endre Kentelky, Klara Benedek, Ciprian George Fora, Imre-Istvan Nyaradi, Adalbert Balog
Summary: The study compared the effectiveness of the insect pathogen fungus Metarhizium anisopliae strain NCAIM 362 with the synthetic insecticide alpha-cypermethrin in controlling larvae in sweet potato cultivation, and found that alpha-cypermethrin was more effective in reducing the number of surviving larvae and minimizing tuber damage.
PLANT PROTECTION SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Abhishek Rana, Ravinder Singh Chandel, Kuldeep Singh Verma
Summary: Melolontha is an important genus of beetles that are major pests of agricultural crops and forest trees. Detailed morphological characteristics of their larvae, pupae, and adults can be used for accurate identification of species, with male genitalia being the most stable characteristic for differentiation.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Bachir Hamani, Adamou Guisso Taffa, Salissou Issa, Chaibou Mahamadou, Johann Detilleux, Nassim Moula
Summary: This study investigated the effects of housefly larvae on local chicken carcass cutout's yield and meat sensory characteristics. It was found that housefly larvae can substitute fishmeal up to 50% in chicken feed without affecting growth performance, and can improve juiciness and meat coloration. However, particular consideration should be given to the increase in liver and spleen percentages of chickens fed dried larvae diets. Housefly larvae can be a suitable alternative to fishmeal for sustainable and safe chicken meat production.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Zoology
Georgina Rodriguez, Martin Fikacek, Yusuke N. Minoshima, Miguel Archangelsky, Patricia L. M. Torres
Summary: Larvae of water scavenger beetles have adapted to various aquatic habitats, with feeding mechanisms including chewing and piercing-sucking. The piercing-sucking mechanism has evolved independently at least four times and represents a key innovation that influences diversification dynamics and allows adaptation to new environments.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Hannah Facey, Munene Kithama, Mohsen Mohammadigheisar, Lee-Anne Huber, Anna K. Shoveller, Elijah G. Kiarie
Summary: This study investigated the effects of using black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) in feed, and found that small amounts of BSFLM can promote growth, but replacing a large amount of soybean meal with BSFLM can decrease growth and increase organ size.
Article
Entomology
Koji Sasakawa
Summary: This study examined the larval feeding habits of two large carabid species and found that their larvae predominantly feed on earthworms. Only larvae reared on an earthworm diet were able to reach adulthood. This is the first report of earthworm feeding during the larval stage for these carabid species.
ENTOMOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Deependra Singh Yadav, Yogita Ranade, Indu Sawant, Shashikant Ghule, Sagar Mhaske
Summary: In this study, 25 bacteria were isolated and identified from different gut regions of S. barbatum, revealing a dominance of gram positive bacteria in the gut. This research contributes to the existing knowledge of microbes associated with S. barbatum and provides insights for developing control strategies against this pest.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TROPICAL INSECT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Inmaculada Villen Martin, Jose Luis Medina-Gavilan
Summary: The consumption of poisonous plants is a well-known risk factor in environmental health. Dealing with these cases is challenging due to the diverse nature of plants. This study identified 21 notable wild plants with high toxicological potential and developed a dichotomous questionnaire to aid in the diagnosis of poisoning symptoms. The goal is to improve triage and diagnostics in healthcare and toxicology services, enhance research in environmental health, and raise awareness about this environmental risk.
REVISTA DE SALUD AMBIENTAL
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Gabriel Biffi, Letizia J. Migliore, Sonia A. Casari
Summary: Psilorrhynchus bifasciatus is a widely distributed species in South America, but little is known about its biology, behavior, and life cycle. While the adults are characterized by a slender rostrum, new observations suggest that they may feed on nectar in inflorescences, contrary to previous hypotheses. The detailed description of their early larval instars reveals unique features that challenge existing assumptions about their relationship with other Cantharidae larvae.
ACTA ENTOMOLOGICA MUSEI NATIONALIS PRAGAE
(2022)
Review
Entomology
Ian W. Keesey, Bill S. Hansson
Summary: This article explores the sources of alcohols in nature and their effects on the behavioral and ecological roles of Drosophila melanogaster. Focusing on neuroethology, it discusses the olfactory detection and neural signaling of alcohol in the fly's brain. The article also explains the various behaviors influenced by alcohol, such as attraction, feeding, oviposition, aggression, and courtship, which are shaped by physiological state and social contexts. Additionally, it compares inter- and intraspecies differences related to alcohol tolerance and metabolism, and provides corollaries with other insect species. The article concludes with directions for further studies on the natural history of alcohol and the fly.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Markus Knaden, Peter Anderson, Martin N. Andersson, Sharon R. Hill, Silke Sachse, Mats Sandgren, Marcus C. Stensmyr, Christer Lofstedt, Rickard Ignell, Bill S. Hansson
Summary: Human activities have a significant impact on the chemical communication of insects. This review focuses on the current state of human-induced changes in insect chemical communication, specifically examining fruit flies, mosquitoes, moths, and bark beetles. The authors also present their perspectives on future developments and the need for further research in this area.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ian W. Keesey, Jin Zhang, Ana Depetris-Chauvin, George F. Obiero, Abhishek Gupta, Nitin Gupta, Heiko Vogel, Markus Knaden, Bill S. Hansson
Summary: This study examines the olfactory function across 20 species in the genus Drosophila and identifies several similar elements of evolution. The findings show minor changes in functional ligands, major changes in olfactory function or receptor replacements, and a small subset of receptors that undergo repeated changes, while most receptors are functionally conserved. A robust model is generated for identifying olfactory function using genomic data and ligand-receptor combinations.
Article
Ecology
Megha Treesa Tom, Lucas Cortes Llorca, Sascha Bucks, Sonja Bisch-Knaden, Bill S. Hansson
Summary: This study investigated the expression patterns of chemosensory receptor genes in different tissues of the nocturnal hawkmoth Manduca sexta, and found that these genes were expressed in various organs involved in olfaction and gustation. The highest number of receptors was detected in the antennae, and sex-biased gene expression was observed in the antennae and legs. These findings provide a strong foundation for further understanding olfaction and gustation at the molecular level in this species.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Devasena Thiagarajan, Franziska Eberl, Daniel Veit, Bill S. Hansson, Markus Knaden, Silke Sachse
Summary: Animals form sensory associations and store them as memories to guide behavioral decisions. In our study using Drosophila melanogaster, we found that bimodal training improved long-lasting olfactory memory but did not enhance short-term olfactory memory.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yunpo Zhao, Mohammed A. Khallaf, Emilia Johansson, Najat Dzaki, Shreelatha Bhat, Johannes Alfredsson, Jianli Duan, Bill S. Hansson, Markus Knaden, Mattias Alenius
Summary: Research shows that sugar intake in Drosophila induces the gut to secrete Hedgehog (Hh) protein, suppressing sweet sensation and perception. The gut-derived Hh signal also inhibits bitter taste and odor responses, affecting overall food perception and preference. Early sugar intake levels affect adult gut Hh expression and sweet taste perception.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Liwei Zhang, Huiwen Sun, Ewald Grosse-Wilde, Long Zhang, Bill S. Hansson, Hany K. M. Dweck
Summary: In a heterogeneous and changing environment, oviposition site selection plays a crucial role in the survival and fitness of offspring, while larval competition also influences their prospects. However, the involvement of pheromones in regulating these processes is still not well understood. This study demonstrates that mated females of Drosophila melanogaster prefer to lay eggs on substrates containing extracts of conspecific larvae. Further experiments identify (Z)-9-octadecenoic acid ethyl ester (OE) as the compound responsible for this preference, which activates female tarsal Gr32a+ neurons. This cross-generational communication strategy is essential for oviposition site selection and regulation of larval density.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dejuan Liang, Huaqing Chen, Liping An, Yao Li, Peizhen Zhao, Archana Upadhyay, Bill S. Hansson, Jianguo Zhao, Qian Han
Summary: Ticks are important vectors of pathogens, and understanding their chemoreception mechanisms can help in tick management. Two NPC2 genes were cloned and functionally characterized in Rhipicephalus linnaei, a species of brown dog tick. These genes were expressed in all developmental stages, with the highest expression in adult males. Ligand binding analysis showed that R.linNPC2b had a wide spectrum of ligand binding, while R.linNPC2a had a more narrow range. Molecular docking suggested that specific amino acid residues in these proteins may play a key role in ligand recognition. These findings contribute to our understanding of the olfactory mechanisms in R. linnaei and provide new directions for tick management.
PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hetan Chang, Sina Cassau, Juergen Krieger, Xiaojiao Guo, Markus Knaden, Le Kang, Bill S. Hansson
Summary: Many animals engage in cannibalism for dietary supplementation, and this is also prevalent among dense populations of migratory locusts. This study shows that locusts produce an anticannibalistic pheromone called phenylacetonitrile under crowded conditions. The degree of cannibalism and phenylacetonitrile production are dependent on population density. By identifying the olfactory receptor that detects phenylacetonitrile and inactivating the gene responsible for its production, researchers demonstrate the loss of protection against intraspecific predation in locusts lacking this compound. This research sheds light on the importance of an anticannibalistic feature in locust population ecology and its potential for locust management.
Article
Neurosciences
Sinisa Prelic, Merid N. Getahun, Sabine Kaltofen, Bill S. Hansson, Dieter Wicher
Summary: Olfaction is a crucial sensory modality in insects, but the regulation of odorant receptor function and intracellular signaling pathways in the sensory periphery are not fully understood. This study investigates the presence and role of nitric oxide (NO) signaling in the antennal tissue of Drosophila. The researchers find that while the NO signaling machinery is present, inhibiting or activating the NO-cGMP pathway does not affect olfactory responses. Additionally, cyclic nucleotides cAMP and cGMP have no effect on olfactory responses, suggesting that NO may not be a regulator of olfactory transduction in insects.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Twinkle Biswas, Jothi Kumar Yuvaraj, Bill S. Hansson, Christer Loefstedt, Olle Anderbrant, Martin N. Andersson
Summary: This study investigated how striped ambrosia beetles use pheromones, host, and non-host volatiles to locate suitable host trees. Thirteen different olfactory sensory neuron classes were identified, with one class being most responsive to pheromones. Additionally, the beetles showed specific responses to volatiles from their obligate fungal mutualist and non-host plant volatiles.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Kalpana Jain, Regina Stieber, Sabine Kaltofen, Bill S. Hansson, Dieter Wicher
Summary: We generated a genetically modified fly line expressing Orco proteins fused with GFP at the N-terminus. The highest fluorescence intensity was observed in homozygous flies in the dendritic areas of olfactory sensory neurons. However, the fusion of GFP did not affect the olfactory capability of homozygous flies compared to wild-type flies, as determined by single sensillum recording.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Vignesh Venkateswaran, Ibrahim Alali, Anjana P. Unni, Jerrit Weissflog, Rayko Halitschke, Bill S. Hansson, Markus Knaden
Summary: Increasing concentrations of oxidant pollutants like ozone can negatively impact insect olfactory behavior and result in the enrichment of oxidation products, affecting their behavioral choices.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anjana P. Unni, Markus Knaden, Bill S. Hansson
Summary: Study suggests that the phase change and mating behavior of locusts are related to conspecific headspace odors rather than olfactory aggregation cues, providing important insights for further research on locust swarming and reproductive behavior.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Steve B. S. Baleba, Venkatesh Pal Mahadevan, Markus Knaden, Bill S. Hansson
Summary: This study investigates how changing temperatures affect odor detection and behavior in three species of fruit flies, revealing that climate change can influence insect behavior.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
