Polycomb group proteins confer robustness to aposematic coloration in the milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus.

Aposematic coloration offers an opportunity to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying canalization. In this study, the role of epigenetic regulation underlying robustness was explored in the aposematic coloration of the milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus. Polycomb (Pc) and Enhancer of zeste (E(z)), which encode components of the Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) and PRC2, respectively, and jing, which encodes a component of the PRC2.2 subcomplex, were knocked down in the fourth instar of O. fasciatus. Knockdown of these genes led to alterations in scutellar morphology and melanization. In particular, when Pc was knocked down, the adults developed a highly melanized abdomen, head and forewings at all temperatures examined. In contrast, the E(z) and jing knockdown led to increased plasticity of the dorsal forewing melanization across different temperatures. Moreover, jing knockdown adults exhibited increased plasticity in the dorsal melanization of the head and the thorax. These observations demonstrate that histone modifiers may play a key role during the process of canalization to confer robustness in the aposematic coloration.

Transcription Factor CcFoxO Mediated the Transition from Summer Form to Winter Form in Cacopsylla chinensis.

Amid global climate change featuring erratic temperature fluctuations, insects adapt via seasonal polyphenism, essential for population sustainability and reproductive success. Cacopsylla chinensis, influenced by environment variations, displays a distinct summer form and winter form distinguished by significant morphological variations. Previous studies have highlighted the role of temperature receptor CcTPRM in orchestrating the transition in response to 10 °C temperature. Nevertheless, the contribution of the transcription factor FoxO in this process has remained ambiguous. Here, we aimed to explore the correlation between C. chinensis FoxO (CcFoxO) and cold stress responses, while identifying potential energetic substances for monitoring physiological shifts during this transition from summer to winter form under cold stress by using RNAi. Initially, CcFoxO emerges as responsive to low temperatures (10 °C) and is regulated by CcTRPM. Subsequent investigations reveal that CcFoxO facilitates the accumulation of triglycerides and glycogen, thereby influencing the transition from summer form to winter form by affecting cuticle pigment content, cuticle chitin levels, and cuticle thickness. Thus, the knockdown of CcFoxO led to high mortality and failed transition. Overall, our findings demonstrate that CcFoxO governs seasonal polyphenism by regulating energy storage. These insights not only enhance our comprehension of FoxO functionality but also offer avenues for environmentally friendly management strategies for C. chinensis.

Detoxification and neurotransmitter clearance drive the recovery of Arma chinensis from ß-cypermethrin-triggered knockdown.

Natural enemies of arthropods contribute considerably to agriculture by suppressing pests, particularly when combined with chemical control. Studies show that insect recovery after insecticide application is rare. Here, we discovered the recovery of the predatory bug Arma chinensis from knockdown following the application of ß-cypermethrin but not five other insecticides. A. chinensis individuals were more tolerant to ß-cypermethrin than lepidopteran and coleopteran larvae, which did not recover from knockdown. We assessed A. chinensis recovery by monitoring their respiration and tracking locomotion through the entire process. We identified and verified the trans-regulation of detoxifying genes, including those encoding cytochrome P450s and α/ß-hydrolase, which confer recovery from ß-cypermethrin exposure in A. chinensis, by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). Furthermore, we discovered a novel mechanism, the neurotransmitter clearance, in vivo during the recovery process, by which the insect initiated the removal of excessive dopamine with a degrading enzyme ebony. Overall, these results provide mechanistic insights into the detoxification and neurotransmitter clearance that jointly drive insect recovery from insecticide exposure.

Integrative taxonomy of the genus Coridius Illiger, 1807 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Dinidoridae) reveals hidden diversity and three new species from North-East India.

The genus Coridius Illiger, 1807 (Heteroptera: Dinidoridae) comprises a group of phytophagous terrestrial bugs consisting of 36 species distributed in the Afrotropical and Indo-Malayan regions. In several communities in northeastern India, insects are recognised as a delicacy, medicine, and a nutritional supplement, with Coridius being a popular delicacy. However, Coridius has received little taxonomic attention to date due to large intraspecific variations, inadequate taxonomic treatments, and the rarity of many species. To address this gap, an integrative taxonomy of the genus was performed. Two mitochondrial genes, viz., cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) and 16S rRNA, were sequenced to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships within Coridius. We performed both maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) to develop a species tree, followed by the Bayesian implementation of the Poisson tree process (bPTP) and Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning (ASAP) as an additional test to assess species boundaries and delimit operational taxonomic units. A linear discriminant analysis (LDA) of four key morphological characters was then performed to identify species groups. Overall, our analysis supported the establishment of three new species: Coridius adii sp. nov., Coridius esculentus sp. nov., and Coridius insperatus sp. nov., and revealed six distinct lineages within Coridius chinensis (Dallas, 1851). Linear discriminant analysis of morphological characters indicated the clustering of eight species. The species status of Coridius nigriventris (Westwood, 1837) stat. rev, formerly synonymized under Coridius nepalensis (Westwood, 1837), is reinstated in this study. Further, we revised the genus Coridius from India and rediscovered Coridius assamensis (Distant, 1902) and Coridius fuscus (Westwood, 1837) after 100 years.

The ongoing range expansion of the invasive oak lace bug across Europe: current occurrence and potential distribution under climate change.

In recent years, the oak lace bug, Corythucha arcuata, has emerged as a significant threat to European oak forests. This species, native to North America, has in the last two decades rapidly extended its range in Europe, raising concerns about its potential impact on the continent's invaluable oak populations. To address this growing concern, we conducted an extensive study to assess the distribution, colonization patterns, and potential ecological niche of the oak lace bug in Europe. We gathered 1792 unique presence coordinates from 21 Eurasian countries, utilizing diverse sources such as research observations, citizen science initiatives, GBIF database, and social media reports. To delineate the realized niche and future distribution, we employed an ensemble species distribution modelling (SDM) framework. Two future greenhouse gas scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) were considered across three-time intervals (2021-2040, 2061-2080, and 2081-2100) to project and evaluate the species' potential distribution in the future. Our analysis revealed that significant hotspots rich in host species occurrence for this invasive insect remain uninvaded so far, even within its suitable habitat. Furthermore, the native ranges of Turkey oak (Quercus cerris L.) and Hungarian oak (Quercus frainetto L.) species offer entirely suitable environments for the oak lace bug. In contrast, the pedunculate oak and sessile oak distribution ranges currently show only 40 % and 50 % suitability for colonization, respectively. However, our predictive models indicate a significant transformation in the habitat suitability of the oak lace bug, with suitability for these two oak species increasing by up to 90 %. This shift underlines an evolving landscape where the oak lace bug may exploit more of its available habitats than initially expected. It emphasises the pressing need for proactive measures to manage and stop its expanding presence, which may lead to a harmful impact on the oak population across the European landscape.

The plant-sucking insect selects assembly of the gut microbiota from environment to enhance host reproduction.

Plant-sucking insects have intricate associations with a diverse array of microorganisms to facilitate their adaptation to specific ecological niches. The midgut of phytophagous true bugs is generally structured into four distinct compartments to accommodate their microbiota. Nevertheless, there is limited understanding regarding the origins of these gut microbiomes, the mechanisms behind microbial community assembly, and the interactions between gut microbiomes and their insect hosts. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive survey of microbial communities within the midgut compartments of a bean bug Riptortus pedestris, soybean plant, and bulk soil across 12 distinct geographical fields in China, utilizing high-throughput sequencing of the 16 S rRNA gene. Our findings illuminated that gut microbiota of the plant-sucking insects predominantly originated from the surrounding soil environment, and plants also play a subordinate role in mediating microbial acquisition for the insects. Furthermore, our investigation suggested that the composition of the insect gut microbiome was probably shaped by host selection and/or microbe-microbe interactions at the gut compartment level, with marginal influence from soil and geographical factors. Additionally, we had unveiled a noteworthy dynamic in the acquisition of core bacterial taxa, particularly Burkholderia, which were initially sourced from the environment and subsequently enriched within the insect midgut compartments. This bacterial enrichment played a significant role in enhancing insect host reproduction. These findings contribute to our evolving understanding of microbiomes within the insect-plant-soil ecosystem, shedding additional light on the intricate interactions between insects and their microbiomes that underpin the ecological significance of microbial partnerships in host adaptation.

Exploring Phylogenetic Relationships of the Mecocephala Group (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Using Continuous and Discrete Characters, with Notes on Taxonomy.

The Mecocephala group comprises about 50 species, restricted to the Neotropics and with the highest species richness in Neotropical South America. Several species use rice as host plants and their identification is facilitated by the presence of exaggerated head proportions and a unique male genitalic morphology. The taxonomy of the group has been extensively explored, but inferring its monophyly and especially its internal phylogenetic relationships has been challenging. Here, we inferred the phylogenetic relationships for the group assembling the most complete taxonomic sampling to date, analyzing discrete and continuous morphological characters through equal and implied weighted parsimony analyses. The monophyly of the group was recovered, but internal relationships varied slightly according to the dataset tested. Thus, we propose internal arrangements for the group and provide a formal description of the Mecocephala group, diagnoses for each genus, a dichotomous key to identify its genera, and illustrations of the morphological characters and type species.

Integrative taxonomy, phylogenetics and historical biogeography of subgenus Aeschyntelus Stål, 1872 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Rhopalidae).

The subgenus Aeschyntelus includes six species that show variations in body color and shape, thus making it difficult to identify them based on morphological identification alone. To date, no genetic study has evaluated species within this genus. Herein, we collected 171 individuals from 90 localities of Rhopalus and employed an integrative taxonomic approach that incorporated morphological data, mitochondrial genomic data (COI, whole mitochondrial data) and nuclear genomic data (18S + 28S rRNAs, nuclear genome-wide SNPs) to delineate species boundaries. Our analyses confirmed the status of nine described species of Rhopalus and proposed the recognition of one new species known as Rhopalus qinlinganus sp. nov., which is classified within the subgenus Aeschyntelus. Discrepancies arising from nuclear and mitochondrial data suggest the presence of mito-nuclear discordance. Specifically, mitochondrial data indicated admixture within Clade A, comprising R. kerzhneri and R. latus, whereas genome-wide SNPs unambiguously identified two separate species, aligning with morphological classification. Conversely, mitochondrial data clearly distinguished Clade B- consisting of R. sapporensis into two lineages, whereas genome-wide SNPs unequivocally identified a single species. Our study also provides insights into the evolutionary history of Aeschyntelus, thus indicating that it likely originated in East Asia during the middle Miocene. The development of Aeschyntelus biodiversity in the southwestern mountains of China occurred via an uplift-driven diversification process. Our findings highlight the necessity of integrating both morphological and multiple molecular datasets for precise species identification, particularly when delineating closely related species. Additionally, it reveals the important role of mountain orogenesis on speciation within the southwestern mountains of China.

Basking improves but winter warming worsens overwinter survival in the linden bug.

The present study investigates the effects of rare winter basking behavior (observed in wild populations of the Linden bug, Pyrrhocoris apterus) and the effects of winter warming (predicted by climate models) on overwinter survival and physiology of P. apterus. The insects were exposed to scenarios simulating basking and winter warming in the laboratory. Part of the insects were exposed to real winters under semi-natural conditions in the field for comparison. The results show a clear positive effect of winter basking, implying that basking behavior is critical for overwinter survival in P. apterus. In contrast, winter warming was found to have a strong negative effect on overwinter survival, potentially representing a threat to central European populations of P. apterus. Physiological parameters (mass, water content, SCP, energy reserves) measured in this study cannot fully explain all the results. Further study is needed to better understand the mechanisms behind the positive effects of winter basking and the negative effects of winter warming on overwintering P. apterus.

Cannibalism facilitated by parasite infection induces dispersal in a semi-aquatic insect.

Parasites are known to have direct effects on host dispersal ability and motivation. Yet, parasites have a variety of impacts on host populations, including shaping predation and cannibalism rates, and therefore may also have indirect effects on host dispersal; these indirect pathways have not been studied. We tested the hypothesis that parasites influence host dispersal through effects on cannibalism using backswimmers (Notonecta undulata) and Hydrachnidia freshwater mites. Mite parasitism impedes swimming in backswimmers, which we found increased their vulnerability to cannibalism. We imposed a manipulation that varied cannibalism rates across experimental populations consisting of a mix of backswimmers with and without simulated parasites. Using simulated parasites allowed us to examine the effects of cannibalism without introducing infection risk. We found that the odds of dispersal for infected backswimmers increased by 2.25× with every 10% increase in the risk of being cannibalized, and the odds of dispersal for healthy backswimmers increased by 2.34× for every additional infected backswimmer they consumed. Our results suggest that cannibalism was used as an energy source for dispersal for healthy individuals, while the risk of being eaten motivated dispersal in infected individuals. These results elucidate the complex ways that parasites impact host populations and strengthen our understanding of host-parasite interactions, including host and parasite population stability and spread. This article is part of the theme issue 'Diversity-dependence of dispersal: interspecific interactions determine spatial dynamics'.

Comparative Genomics and the Salivary Transcriptome of the Redbanded Stink Bug Shed Light on Its High Damage Potential to Soybean.

The redbanded stink bug, Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a significant soybean pest in the Americas, which inflicts more physical damage on soybean than other native stink bugs. Studies suggest that its heightened impact is attributed to the aggressive digestive properties of its saliva. Despite its agricultural importance, the factors driving its greater ability to degrade plant tissues have remained unexplored in a genomic evolutionary context. In this study, we hypothesized that lineage-specific gene family expansions have increased the copy number of digestive genes expressed in the salivary glands. To investigate this, we annotated a previously published genome assembly of the redbanded stink bug, performed a comparative genomic analysis on 11 hemipteran species, and reconstructed patterns of gene duplication, gain, and loss in the redbanded stink bug. We also performed RNA-seq on the redbanded stink bug's salivary tissues, along with the rest of the body without salivary glands. We identified hundreds of differentially expressed salivary genes, including a subset lost in other stink bug lineages, but retained and expressed in the redbanded stink bug's salivary glands. These genes were significantly enriched with protein families involved in proteolysis, potentially explaining the redbanded stink bug's heightened damage to soybeans. Contrary to our hypothesis, we found no support for an enrichment of duplicated digestive genes that are also differentially expressed in the salivary glands of the redbanded stink bug. Nonetheless, these results provide insight into the evolution of this important crop pest, establishing a link between its genomic history and its agriculturally important physiology.

Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) as the major contributor to early olive drop in northern Italy.

In recent years, a new phenomenon of early olive drop is causing production losses in olive groves throughout northern Italy. To analyze the possible causes, field and laboratory trials were performed to assess the involvement of fungal pathogens and insect pests in this disease. External and internal symptoms of fungal infections or insect-feeding activities were researched. Fungi present in healthy and dislodged olives were investigated. The relationship between olives that fell and Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) infestation was assessed in a controlled infestation trial, and the effectiveness of an insecticidal strategy in reducing early olive drop was tested in open field conditions. A comparable number of fungi, mostly endophytes, were isolated and identified from both healthy and dislodged olives. The damage observed on dislodged olives was primarily ascribed to pentatomids feeding activity. Six stink bugs species were found in olive canopies, that is, the invasive H. halys, which was by far the most abundant, and Acrosternum heegeri Fieber, Nezara viridula (Linnaeus), Palomena prasina (Linnaeus), Piezodorus lituratus (Fabricious), and Rhaphigaster nebulosa (Poda). Halyomorpha halys caused intense fruit drop in the controlled infestation trial, and its infestation level significantly correlated with the number of olives that fell. Native stink bugs, present in much lower population compared to H. halys, could also partially contribute to early drop of olives. Insect proof net significantly reduced the early olive drop disease, while insecticide applications only partially reduced the stink bugs population density and, proportionally, early olive drop.

Effectiveness and residual activity of four common insecticides used in the Mississippi Delta to control tarnished plant bugs in cotton.

The tarnished plant bug, (TPB) Lygus lineolaris Palisot de Beauvois (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a key pest of cotton in the midsouth region and some areas of the eastern United States. Its control methods have been solely based on chemical insecticides which has contributed to insecticidal resistance and shortened residual periods for control of this insect pest. This study was conducted over a two-year period and examined the efficacy and residual effect of four commercial insecticides including lambda-cyhalothrin (pyrethroid), acephate (organophosphate), imidacloprid (neonicotinoid), and sulfoxaflor (sulfoxamine). The effectiveness and residual effects of these insecticides were determined by application on cotton field plots on four different dates during each season using three different concentrations (high: highest labeled commercial dose (CD), medium: 1/10 of the CD, low: 1/100 of the CD) on field cotton plots. Four groups of cotton leaves were randomly pulled from each treated plot and control 0-, 2-, 4-, 7-, and 9-days post treatment (DPT) and exposed to a lab colony of TPB adults. One extra leaf sample/ plot/ spray /DPT interval (0-2-4-7-9-11) during 2016 was randomly collected from the high concentration plots and sent to Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory for residual analysis. Mortality of TPB adults was greatest for those placed on leaves sprayed with the organophosphate insecticide with mortalities (%) of 81.7±23.4 and 63.3±28.8 (SE) 1-day after exposure (DAE) on leaves 0-DPT with the high concentration for 2016 and 2017, respectively, reaching 94.5±9.5 and 95.4±7.6 6-DAE each year. Mortality to all insecticides continued until 9 and 4-DPT for high and medium concentrations, respectively. However, organophosphate (39.4±28.6) and pyrethroid (24.4±9.9) exhibited higher mortality than sulfoxamine (10.6±6.6) and the neonicotinoid (4.0±1.5) 7-DAE on 9-DPT leaves with the high concentration. Based on our results using the current assay procedure, TPB adults were significantly more susceptible to contact than systemic insecticides and due to its residual effect, organophosphate could kill over 80% of the TPB population 7-DPT.

A review of applications and limitations of using aquatic macroinvertebrate predators for biocontrol of the African malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae sensu lato.

Macroinvertebrate predators such as backswimmers (Heteroptera: Notonectidae), dragonflies (Odonata: Aeshnidae), and predatory diving beetles (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) naturally inhabit aquatic ecosystems. Some aquatic ecosystems inhabited by these macroinvertebrate predator taxa equally form malaria vector larval habitats. The presence of these predators in malaria vector larval habitats can negatively impact on development, adult body size, fecundity, and longevity of the malaria vectors, which form important determinants of their fitness and future vectorial capacity. These potential negative impacts caused by aquatic macroinvertebrate predators on malaria vectors warrant their consideration as biocontrol agents in an integrated program to combat malaria. However, the use of these macroinvertebrate predators in malaria biocontrol is currently constrained by technical bottlenecks linked to their generalist predatory tendencies and often long life cycles, demanding complex rearing systems. We reviewed the literature on the use of aquatic macroinvertebrate predators for biocontrol of malaria vectors from the An. gambiae s.l. complex. The available information from laboratory and semi-field studies has shown that aquatic macroinvertebrates have the potential to consume large numbers of mosquito larvae and could thus offer an additional approaches in integrated malaria vector management strategies. The growing number of semi-field structures available in East and West Africa provides an opportunity to conduct ecological experimental studies to reconsider the potential of using aquatic macroinvertebrate predators as a biocontrol tool. To achieve a more sustainable approach to controlling malaria vector populations, additional, non-chemical interventions could provide a more sustainable approach, in comparison with the failing chemical control tools, and should be urgently considered for integration with the current mosquito vector control campaigns.

Paraburkholderia largidicola sp. nov., a gut symbiont of the bordered plant bug Physopelta gutta.

Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, motile bacteria, designated strains F2T and PGU16, were isolated from the midgut crypts of the bordered plant bug Physopelta gutta, collected in Okinawa prefecture, Japan. Although these strains were derived from different host individuals collected at different times, their 16S rRNA gene sequences were identical and showed the highest similarity to Paraburkholderia caribensis MWAP64T (99.3 %). The genome of strain F2T consisted of two chromosomes and two plasmids, and its size and G+C content were 9.28 Mb and 62.4 mol% respectively; on the other hand, that of strain PGU16 consisted of two chromosomes and three plasmids, and its size and G+C content were 9.47 Mb and 62.4 mol%, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that these two strains are members of the genus Paraburkholderia. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization value between these two strains was 92.4 %; on the other hand, the values between strain F2T and P. caribensis MWAP64T or phylogenetically closely related Paraburkholderia species were 44.3 % or below 49.1 %. The predominant fatty acids of both strains were C16 : 0, C17 : 0 cyclo, summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c/C18 : 1 ω6c), and C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, and their respiratory quinone was ubiquinone 8. Based on the above genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, strains F2T and PGU16 represent a novel species of the genus Paraburkholderia for which the name Paraburkholderia largidicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is F2T (=NBRC 115765T=LMG 32765T).

Maternal Care under Large Clutches with Small Eggs: The Evolution of Life History Traits in Shield Bugs.

AbstractPatterns in the correlated evolution of parental care and life history traits are long established but controversial. Although parental care is related to large egg size in many taxa, conflicting results have also been reported. To test the evolutionary relationships between parental care and life history traits, we performed phylogenetic comparative analyses using shield bugs (Heteroptera: Acanthosomatidae), in which maternal guarding of eggs and young has repeatedly evolved. Our analyses revealed that female body size affected reproductive resource allocation. Contrary to the expectations of current theories, the acquisition of maternal care was associated with small eggs, large clutches, and large egg resource allocation. There was a greater trade-off between egg size and clutch size in caring species than in noncaring species. Egg and hatchling developmental rates were not correlated with egg size but were slower in caring species than in noncaring species. Analyses of evolutionary transitions suggest that the establishment of large clutches, small eggs, and large egg resource allocation preceded the evolution of maternal care. To our knowledge, this is the first study clarifying the evolution of parental care linked with small eggs in invertebrates.

Microbiota of pest insect Nezara viridula mediate detoxification and plant defense repression.

The Southern green shield bug, Nezara viridula, is an invasive piercing and sucking pest insect that feeds on crop plants and poses a threat to global food production. Given that insects are known to live in a close relationship with microorganisms, our study provides insights into the community composition and function of the N. viridula-associated microbiota and its effect on host-plant interactions. We discovered that N. viridula hosts both vertically and horizontally transmitted microbiota throughout different developmental stages and their salivary glands harbor a thriving microbial community that is transmitted to the plant while feeding. The N. viridula microbiota was shown to aid its host with the detoxification of a plant metabolite, namely 3-nitropropionic acid, and repression of host plant defenses. Our results demonstrate that the N. viridula-associated microbiota plays an important role in interactions between insects and plants and could therefore be considered a valuable target for the development of sustainable pest control strategies.

Effects of the insecticide flupyradifurone on Anticarsia gemmatalis caterpillar and its predator Podisus nigrispinus.

The caterpillar Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a prevalent pest in soybean plantations, managed using both natural and synthetic chemical products. However, the emergence of resistance in some populations emphasizes the need to explore alternative insecticides. Flupyradifurone, a neurotoxic insecticide, has not been previously used for controlling A. gemmatalis. This study evaluated the potential of flupyradifurone in the management of A. gemmatalis. Initially, the toxicity and anti-feeding effects, as well as histopathological and cytotoxic impacts, of flupyradifurone on A. gemmatalis were evaluated. Subsequently, the indirect effects of flupyradifurone on the midgut and fat body of the predator Podisus nigrispinus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) were verified. The results indicate the susceptibility of caterpillars to flupyradifurone, with an LC50 of 5.10 g L-1. Furthermore, the insecticide adversely affects survival, induces an anti-feeding response, and inflicts damage on the midgut of the caterpillars. However, flupyradifurone also leads to side effects in the predator P. nigrispinus through indirect intoxication of the caterpillars, including midgut and fat body damage. While flupyradifurone demonstrates toxicity to A. gemmatalis, suggesting its potential for the chemical control of this pest, the indirect negative effects on the predator indicate the need for its controlled use in integrated pest management programs with the insecticide and the predator.

A morphological traits dataset of Heteroptera sampled in biodiversity priority areas of Southwest China.

Functional traits reveal the adaptive strategies of species to their environment, and are relevant to the formation of communities, the function of ecosystems, and the mechanisms underlying biodiversity. However, trait databases have not been established for most biological taxa, especially for insects, which encompass a vast number of species. This study measured the morphological traits of 307 species of Heteroptera insects collected in 2019 from the "Xishuangbanna Priority Conservation Area" in Southwest China using sweep netting and light trapping methods. This study provides a dataset for 307 Heteroptera species, comprising 34 morphometric measurements and 17 morphological traits. The dataset contains information on species sex, abundance, and the average, maximum, and minimum values of traits. This dataset facilitates an enhanced understanding of the functional traits and ecological associations of Heteroptera insects and offers opportunities for exploring a more diverse range of research topics.

Notes of the trichobothrial patterns in damsel bugs (Insecta: Hemiptera: Nabidae).

A trichobothrium is a complex sensory organ, which usually consists of a long, slender mechanoreceptive seta (trich), which is situated in a cuplike depression in the cuticle (bothrium). Nabidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Cimicomorpha), also called damsel bugs, are a relatively small family within which two subfamilies, Nabinae and Prostemmatinae, are distinguished. Trichobothria are present in the number of one to seven pairs located laterally on the scutellum of adult representatives of Prostemmatinae. This feature is commonly used to distinguish this subfamily from Nabinae. Trichobothria are also found on the abdominal tergites of Prostemmatinae nymphs. Similar sensilla have been observed in adult representatives of Nabinae, but their homology has not yet been confirmed. During morphological studies on Nabidae, conducted using scanning electron microscopy, we noticed sensilla resembling trichobothria on the heads of these insects. This discovery prompted us to examine the presence of these structures in damsel bugs more carefully. Imagines of fifteen species of both subfamilies were analysed using a scanning electron microscope. The results present data on the distribution and micromorphology of the trichobothria in damsel bugs. A pair of dorsal and ventral cephalic trichobothria were observed in all of the examined species of subfamily Nabinae. These sensilla were not found on the heads of Prostemmatinae. The results of studies on scutellar trichobothria confirmed the previously known data regarding their occurrence in Prostemmatinae. Moreover, our research showed the presence of these sensory structures in all of the examined Nabinae species: one pair of trichobothria in Arachnocorini, Carthasini, Gorpini and Nabini, and two pairs in Stenonabini. The presence of abdominal trichobothria was shown in Nabini and Stenonabini. In the remaining studied tribes of Nabinae and in the subfamily Prostemmatinae, the presence of structures that could undoubtedly be considered abdominal trichobothria was not found.