Predicting suitable areas for Metcalfa pruinosa (Hemiptera: Flatidae) under climate change and implications for management.

Climate change is a prominent factor reshaping the distribution of invasive species. Metcalfa pruinosa (Say 1830) (Hemiptera: Flatidae), native to North America, has invaded other continents and poses a serious threat to various agricultural crops and the human residential environment. Understanding the distribution of M. pruinosa based on climatic conditions is a critical first step to prevent its further invasion. Therefore, based on its occurrence records and associated environmental variables, a Maxent model was developed to predict suitable areas for this species in the present and future on a global scale. The model exhibited outstanding performance, with a mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and true skill statistic values of 0.9329 and 0.926, respectively. The model also indicated that annual precipitation (Bio12) and max temperature of the warmest month (Bio5) were the key environmental variables limiting the distribution of M. pruinosa. Moreover, the model revealed that the current suitable area is 1.01 × 107 km2 worldwide, with southern China, southern Europe, and the eastern United States predicted to be the primary and highly suitable areas in the latter 2 regions. This area is expected to increase under future climate scenarios, mainly in the northern direction. The study's findings contribute to our understanding of climate change's impact on M. pruinosa distribution, and they will aid governments in developing appropriate pest management strategies, including global monitoring and strict quarantine measures.

First report of the complete mitochondrial genome of 3 beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) harming Gastrodia elata (Asparagales: Orchidaceae).

Gastrodia elata Blume, a valuable traditional Chinese medicine with significant clinical and nutritional importance, is a fungal heterotrophic orchid. We present the first report of the mitochondrial genome structure and characteristics of 3 Scarabaeidae pests affecting G. elata: Sophrops peronosporus Gu & Zhang, Anomala rufiventris Kollar & Redtenbacher, and Callistethus plagiicollis Fairmaire. Each mitogenome contained 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), 2 ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), and a control region, with no gene rearrangements observed. All 21 tRNAs, except trnS1 that lacks a dihydrouridine, had a stable cloverleaf secondary structure. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses based on the 13 PCGs produced 2 topologically similar phylogenetic trees, both of with high nodal support. Larvae of these Scarabaeidae pests cause substantial damage by gnawing on the tubers and roots of G. elata, leading to reduced yield and compromised quality. These findings contribute to phylogenetic studies of Scarabaeidae, expand knowledge of G. elata pests, and offer valuable reference materials for their identification and control.

Population Growth Performance of Arma custos (Faricius) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) at Different Temperatures.

Arma custos (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a natural predator that can control various agricultural and forestry pests. This study aimed to clarify the effects of temperature on the growth, reproduction, and population of the predator and to simulate its population growth. Using the age-stage, two-sex life table method, 18°C, 22°C, 26°C, 30°C, and 34°C were selected as the temperature conditions. A. custos can complete its life cycle at 18°C-30°C, and the developmental duration of each A. custos stage, adult pre-oviposition period, total pre-oviposition period, and the mean generation time (T) were shortened with the increase in temperature. The pre-adult mortality was significantly reduced at 26°C and 30°C. In addition, the fecundity of a single female and the gross reproductive rate were the highest at 30°C. Significant differences were observed in the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and the finite rate of increase (λ) under different temperature conditions, and both reached the maximum at 30°C. Results showed that adult A. custos raised at 26°C had a longer lifespan and the fecundity was higher at 30°C in comparison with the other temperatures. This study is the first to report the life cycle of A. custos at different temperatures, and the results can provide a scientific theoretical basis for the indoor artificial reproduction, outdoor release, and colonization of A. custos.

Revisiting the Phylogenetic Relationship and Evolution of Gargarini with Mitochondrial Genome (Hemiptera: Membracidae: Centrotinae).

In this study, we newly sequenced and analyzed the complete mitochondrial genomes of five genera and six species in Gargarini: Antialcidas floripennae, Centrotoscelus davidi, Kotogargara minuta, Machaerotypus stigmosus, Tricentrus fulgidus, and Tricentrus gammamaculatus. The mitochondrial genomes contain 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and a control region. The lengths of the mitochondrial genomes are 15,253 bp to 15,812 bp, and the AT contents of the obtained mitogenomes indicate a strong AT bias, ranging from 75.8% to 78.5%. The start codons of all PCGs show that most start with a typical ATN (ATA/T/G/C) codon and less start with T/GTG; the stop codon TAA is frequently used, and TAG and a single T are less used. In Gargarini mitogenomes, all tRNA genes can be folded into the canonical cloverleaf secondary structure, except for trnaS1, which lacks a stable dihydrouridine (DHU) stem and is replaced by a simple loop. At the same time, the phylogenetic analysis of the tribe Gargarini based on sequence data of 13 PCGs from 18 treehopper species and four outgroups revealed that the 10 Gargarini species form a steady group with strong support and form a sister group with Leptocentrini, Hypsauchenini, Centrotini, and Leptobelini. Diversification within Gargarini is distinguished by a Later Cretaceous divergence that led to the rapid diversification of the species. Moreover, the ancestral state reconstructions analysis showed the absence of the suprahumeral horn, which was confirmed as the ancestor characteristic of the treehopper, which has evolved from simple to complex. Our results shed new light specifically on the molecular and phylogenetic evolution of the pronotum in Gargarini.

Biology of Callistethus plagiicollis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Rutelinae) and comparative morphology of its larvae.

Larvae of the beetle subfamily Rutelinae are poorly described in the literature. Notably, the morphology of the larvae of Callistethus plagiicollis Fairmaire has not previously been analyzed. Here, we report for the first time that these larvae feed on the tubers and roots of Gastrodia elata Blume, an important traditional Chinese herbal medicine, which causes a reduction in the yield and economic value of G. elata. We employed scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy to investigate the morphology and occurrence regularity of egg, larvae, pupae, and adult specimens of C. plagiicollis collected from the G. elata planting base in Guizhou Province, China, with a focus on the ultrastructure of mature larvae. The results revealed one generation of C. plagiicollis per year in the study area and three instar stages of larvae. Mature larvae were identified by the following characteristics: raster without palidia with a large number of hamate setae, antennal apex containing seven sensilla basiconica, larval haptomerum containing eight sensilla styloconica and four enlarged heli, and seven longitudinally arranged stridulatory teeth on the stipes of the maxilla. The combination of scanning electron and light microscopy effectively revealed the difference between membranous and sclerotized structures, ensuring accurate identification of C. plagiicollis larvae. By determining the feeding characteristics and occurrence regularity of C. plagiicollis, this study has implications for improved pest management in G. elata crops. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: We identified C. plagiicollis as a new pest of G. elata, a traditional Chinese medicine Scanning electron and light microscopy were combined to analyze the morphology of the mature larvae of C. plagiicollis for the first time We determined the feeding characteristics and occurrence regularity of C. plagiicollis, which can be used to develop effective pest management strategies.

Colony performance of three native bumblebee species from South China and association with their gut microbiome.

Bumblebees play an important ecological economic role as pollinators in nature and agriculture. For reasons of biosecurity, many countries promote the cultivation of native bumblebee species for crop pollination instead of importing "alien" species. In South China, a few bumblebee species are considered useful in this way, particularly, Bombus atripes, Bombus bicoloratus and Bombus breviceps. However, whether they are suitable for artificial rearing and forming healthy colonies for pollination, remains unknown. In this project, queens from the 3 native species of Guizhou Province were collected and colonies were started under standardized conditions. The colonies were scored based on 19 parameters, including the stage of colony development, number and weight of offspring, and diet consumed. The data revealed that B. breviceps had the best performance, produced more workers and consumed the smallest diet. Next, we performed 16S rDNA sequencing of the bacterial communities found in the guts of offspring workers, and then a correlation analysis between colony performance and gut bacteria was conducted. Here, B. breviceps showed the highest diversity in gut bacterial composition, dominated by the bacteria Gilliamella, Snodgrassella, Enterobacter, and Lactobacillus Firm5. The higher the abundance of Snodgrassella, the better the performance of the colony in the foundation stage, and later Lactobacillus Firm5, Apibacter and Bifidobacterium were beneficial during the stages of rapid growth and colony decline. Although we do not understand all of the interactions yet, these correlations explain why B. breviceps demonstrated better colony performance. Our data provide valuable information for breeding local Bombus species and will contribute to developing strong colonies for crop pollination.

Effects of flowering period on floral traits, pollinator behavior and seed production of David's mountain laurel (Sophora davidii).

Sophora davidii is a cross-pollinated plant with important ecological protection and medicinal value in China, but its seed yield is low due to backward and nonstandard production technology. Therefore, we divide the flowering period of Sophora davidii into initial, full and final flowering period, measuring the floral morphology, pollen viability, stigma receptivity, nectar volume and nectar concentration, foraging behavior of pollinators, fertilization physiology, seed yield and quality through field observation and indoor testing to explore whether the flowering period affects the floral traits, pollinator behavior and seed production of plants. Our results revealed that the nectar volume, nectar concentration, pollen viability and stigma receptivity at full flowering period were the highest. The single visit time and visit time per flower of Chinese honey bees were the longest in the full flowering period, while the number of transfer, visit frequency and number of touching stigma were the least. The visiting number of the bees was the most and the most active in the full flowering period. The bees pollination not only improved the pollen amount, germination rate, pollen tube length and the ovule number of S. davidii, but also their effect was the most obvious in full flowering period. The principal component analysis showed that pollination by Chinese honey bees during the whole flowering period of S. davidii was the best way to produce seeds. We can conclude that flowering period affects flower traits, foraging behavior of pollinators, seed yield and quality of S. davidii.

Three new species of the genus Kosalya Distant, 1906 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Achilidae) from China.

Three new species of the planthopper genus Kosalya Distant, 1906 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Achilidae: Plectoderini) are described and illustrated from China: K. unimaculata sp. nov., K. circumscripta sp. nov. and K. curvusanusa sp. nov. The genus is redescribed, and includes male genitalia characters. A key to all species of the genus is given.

Two new species of the planthopper genus Deferunda Distant from China (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Achilidae), with the first description of the male of Deferunda acuminata Chou & Wang.

Two new species of the genus Deferunda Distant, 1912, D. dentata sp. nov. and D. interanea sp. nov. from China (Shandong and Hainan provinces, respectively), are described and illustrated, bringing the total number of species within the genus to 17. The male genitalia of D. acuminata Chou & Wang, 1985 is described and illustrated for the first time. Geographical information, a checklist and key to all known species of Deferunda are provided.

Two new species of the planthopper genus Usana Distant, 1906 (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Achilidae) from China.

Two new species of the achilid planthopper genus Usana Distant, 1906 (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Achilidae, Myconinae, Plectoderini), U.tongmaiensis Long & Huang, sp. nov. and U.rotalarius Long & Huang, sp. nov., are described and illustrated from Xizang and Chongqing. A key to all known species and a map of geographic distributions for Chinese taxa is provided.

Higher Essential Amino Acid and Crude Protein Contents in Pollen Accelerate the Oviposition and Colony Foundation of Bombus breviceps (Hymenoptera: Apidae).

Pollen is an important source of nutrition for bumblebees to survive, reproduce, and raise their offspring. To explore the nutritional requirements for the egg laying and hatching of queenright Bombus breviceps colonies, camellia pollen, oilseed rape pollen, apricot pollen, and mixtures of two or three types of pollen in equal proportions were used to feed the queens in this study. The results showed that the camellia pollen with a higher essential amino acid content was superior to the pollen with a lower essential amino acid content in the initial egg-laying time (p < 0.05), egg number (p < 0.05), larval ejection (p < 0.01), time of first worker emergence (p < 0.05), and the average weight of workers in the first batch (p < 0.01). It took less time for colonies under the camellia pollen and camellia-oilseed rape-apricot pollen mix treatments, both with a higher crude protein content, to reach ten workers in the colony (p < 0.01). On the contrary, the queens fed apricot pollen never laid an egg, and larvae fed oilseed rape pollen were all ejected-both pollens with a lower essential amino acid content. The results emphasize that the diet should be rationally allocated to meet the nutritional needs of local bumblebees at various stages when guiding them to lay eggs, hatch, and develop a colony.

Morphology of the Antennal Sensilla of the Nymphal Instars and Adults in Notobitus meleagris (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Coreidae).

The bamboo bug Notobitus meleagris (Fabricius, 1787) is a serious pest of bamboo shoots in China, India, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Singapore. The antennae of the nymphal instars and adults of N.meleagris are involved in communication among individuals and finding the host plants. In order to understand the morphology of antennal sensilla, their types, and the distribution of sensilla on the antennae of nymphal instars and adults in N. meleagris, we studied the morphology of antennal sensilla with a scanning electron microscope. The antennae of the nymphs and adults comprised the scape, pedicel, and two flagellomeres. Four types and eight subtypes of sensilla were identified in the nymphal instars (sensilla trichodea [St].1, St.2, St.3, sensilla basiconica [Sb].1, Sb.2, sensilla chaetica [Sc].1, Sc.2, sensilla coeloconica [Sco].1), whereas those of the adults had five types and eleven subtypes of sensilla (St.1, St.2, St.3, Sb.1, Sb.2, Sb.3, Sc.1, Sc.2, Sco.1, Sco.2, and sensilla campaniformia [Sca]). There are significant differences in the number, type, and size of the sensilla in different nymphal instars, which increases with the increase in nymphal instars. There was no sexual dimorphism observed in the adult sensilla; however, the length and diameter of St.3, Sb.2, and Sb.3 were sexually dimorphic. The potential functions of each sensillum were discussed based on the morphology and distribution of the antennal sensilla and were compared with similar published studies. Our results provide primary data for further research on the behavioral mechanism, green prevention, and control of N. meleagris.

Characterizing the Complete Mitochondrial Genomes of Three Bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) Harming Bamboo.

Herein, we report the mitochondrial genomic characteristics of three insect pests, Notobitus meleagris, Macropes harringtonae, and Homoeocerus bipunctatus, collected from bamboo plants in Guizhou Province, China. For the first time, the damaged conditions and life histories of M. harringtonae and H. bipunctatus are described in detail and digital photographs of all their life stages are provided. Simultaneously, the mitochondrial genome sequences of three bamboo pests were sequenced and analyzed. Idiocerus laurifoliae and Nilaparvata lugens were used as outgroups, and the phylogenetic trees were constructed. The mitochondrial genomes of the three bamboo pests contained 37 classical genes, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and a control region, with a total length of 16,199 bp, 15,314 bp, and 16,706 bp, respectively. The A+T values of the three bamboo pests were similar, and trnS1 was a cloverleaf structure with missing arms. The phylogenetic analyses, using the Bayesian inference (BI) and Maximum likelihood (ML), supported that N. meleagris and H. bipunctatus belonged to the Coreoidea family, whereas M. harringtonae belonged to the Lygaeoidea family with high support values. This study involves the first complete sequencing of the mitochondrial genomes of two bamboo pests. By adding these newly sequenced mitochondrial genome data and detailed descriptions of life histories, the database of bamboo pests is improved. These data also provide information for the development of bamboo pest control methods by quick identification techniques and the use of detailed photographs.

Two new species of the bamboo-feeding subgenus Myittana (Benglebra) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) from China.

Two new species of the bamboo-feeding genus Myittana (Benglebra) Mahmood & Ahmad, 1969, M. (B.) weiningensis Zhao, Luo & Chen sp. nov. and M. (B.) dongae Zhao, Luo & Chen sp. nov. from China (Guizhou and Guangxi) are described and illustrated. A key to all known species of the subgenus Myittana (Benglebra) is also given.

Review of the genus Hauptenia Szwedo (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Derbidae), with descriptions of two new species from China.

The derbid planthopper genus Hauptenia Szwedo, 2006 is reviewed. Two new species from China, H.beibengensis Sui & Chen, sp. nov. and H.daliensis Sui & Chen, sp. nov., are described and illustrated. A third species, H.tripartitaRahman et al., 2012, is recorded from China for the first time. An updated checklist and identification key to all ten known species of the genus Hauptenia are provided.

Comparison of Morphological Characteristics of Antennae and Antennal Sensilla among Four Species of Bumblebees (Hymenoptera: Apidae).

Bumblebees, as pollinators, play an important role in maintaining natural and agricultural ecosystems. Antennae with sensilla of bumblebees as social insects have essential effects in foraging, nest searching, courting, and mating, and are different in species and sexes. Previous studies on the morphology of antennae and sensilla in bumblebees have been limited to a few species and a single caste. To better understand how bumblebees detect and receive the chemical signal from nectariferous plants and foraging behavior, the morphology of antennae with sensilla, including the antennal length, and type, distribution, and number of antennal sensilla in four species, Bombus atripes, Bombus breviceps, Bombus flavescens, and Bombus terrestris was compared by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) herein. The total antennal length of queens are the longest and workers are the shortest in three castes, and in four species the longest of the total antennal length among three castes all are in B. flavescens, which is significantly longer than other species (p < 0.05) and the length of the scape in queens and workers are both longer than males, significantly different in queens (p < 0.05), and not significantly different in workers (p > 0.05), and the length of flagellums in females are not always shorter than males, of which the length of flagellms in queens of B. flavescens are significantly longer than males (p < 0.05), and the length of pedicel and all flagellomeres varies among species and castes. A total of 13 major types of sensilla in total were observed, including trichodea sensilla (TS A-E), placodea sensilla (PS A-B), basiconica sensilla (BaS), coeloconica sensilla (COS A-B), chaetic sensilla (CS A-B), and Böhm sensilla (BS), of which chaetic sensilla B (CS B), only observed in females of B. atripes, was firstly reported in Apidae. Moreover, the number of all sensilla was the most in males, the least was in workers, the number of sensilla varies within castes and species. Furthermore, the morphological characteristics of antennae and the potential functions of sensilla are discussed.

The complete mitochondrial genome of small wax moth, Achroia grisella (Pyralidae: Galleriinae).

We sequenced and annotated the complete mitochondrial genome of Achroia grisella (Fabricius, 1794), which was 15,368 bp, encoding 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA (tRNA) genes, 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and a control region; having a base composition of A (38.7%), C (12.3%), G (7.5%), T (41.5%), G + C (19.8%), and A + T (71.2%); except for the ND1, which was initiated by the GAT codon, the other 12 PCGs were initiated by the ATN (ATT, ATA, and ATG) codon. The nine PCGs terminated with the typical TAA stop codon, whereas the remaining four genes had incomplete stop codons, which were single T. In addition, the phylogenetic relationships based on nucleotide sequences of 13 PCGs using Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods showed a close relationship between Achroia grisella and Galleria mellonella.

Description of the mature larva and pupa of Synchroa chinensis Nikitsky, 1999 (Coleoptera, Synchroidae).

During our field work, a series of larvae of the family Synchroidae was collected under the bark of dead trees. Subsequently, most larvae were reare to adults in a lab and were identified as Synchroa chinensis Nikitsky, 1999. In the present paper, we describe the mature larva and pupa of S. chinensis for the first time.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the praying mantis Arria pallida (Zhang, 1987) (Mantodea: Haanidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of Arria pallida is 16,240 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNAs), a control region (D-loop), and 22 transfer RNA (tRNAs). The phylogenetic analysis included 18 species within 10 families of Mantodea using maximum likelihood (ML) method. The result showed that A. pallida is sister to Haania sp., both of which form a sister clade with Caliris sp.

First Description of Adult Males of Four Species of the Treehopper genus Tricentrus Stål from China (Hemiptera, Membracidae, Centrotinae, Tricentrini).

Adult males are described and illustrated for the first time for four Chinese species of the treehopper genus Tricentrus previously known only from females: T. albipennis Kato, 1930, T. floripinnae Yuan Cui, 1987, T. foliocornatus, Yuan Fan, 2002 and T. oedothorectoidis Yuan Fan, 2002.