Joshua B. Benoit

RNA-seq analysis of Triatoma gerstaeckeri during mite infestation reveals increased metabolic demand and lower reproductive investment

This study uses RNA-seq to analyze Triatoma gerstaeckeri during mite infestation, finding increased metabolic activity and reduced reproductive investment.

Extended pregnancy during matrotrophy in cockroaches increases progeny survival during dry periods

This study shows that prolonged viviparity in cockroaches improves progeny survival during dry periods by enhancing maternal dehydration resistance and post-birth survival.

Stage-specific and tomato-spotted wilt virus infection-induced changes in the salivary gland transcriptome of western flower thrips

This study examines transcriptomic changes in the salivary glands of western flower thrips during tomato spotted wilt virus infection in larvae and adults, finding a more pronounced response in larvae.

Genome sequencing and multi-stage, blood-feeding, and tissue-specific transcriptome atlas of the Rocky Mountain wood tick provide a critical resource for this vector

This study provides a reference genome and transcriptome atlas of the Rocky Mountain wood tick, identifying genes involved in blood feeding and developmental-stage-specific gene expression.

Acute Sublethal Heat Stress Impairs Blood Feeding and Trypanosome Infection in the Kissing Bug, Rhodnius prolixus

This study shows that acute heat stress reduces blood feeding and Trypanosome infection in Rhodnius prolixus, with recovery improving these outcomes.

Cyclic AMP compartmentalization drives signal specificity to control vector colonization and mammalian host infection by American trypanosomes

This study identifies two cAMP microdomains in Trypanosoma cruzi, showing their distinct roles in parasite survival and infection.

Humidity as a potential zeitgeber for circadian entrainment of insect systems

The paper investigates how humidity affects circadian rhythms in insects, finding that it can entrain activity patterns, though not universally across all species.

Sub-lethal pesticide exposure facilitates the potential northward range shifts of ticks by increasing cold tolerance and overwintering survival

This study shows that sublethal pesticide exposure increases cold tolerance and overwintering survival in ticks, potentially enabling northward range shifts by improving their ability to survive low temperatures.

Dehydrating microhabitats increase mite activity and intensify ectoparasitism of Drosophila

This study shows that dehydration increases mite activity and ectoparasitism of Drosophila in two fly-mite systems.

Temporal synchrony between human odor rhythms and mosquito olfactory preference shapes host attraction

The paper shows that human odor rhythms and mosquito olfactory preferences are temporally synchronized, enhancing mosquito attraction to humans.

Drought tolerance of Aedes aegypti mosquito eggs is influenced by adaptation to local climate conditions and associations with humans

This study examines how drought tolerance of Aedes aegypti mosquito eggs varies with climate conditions and human association, finding urban mosquitoes have higher survival under arid conditions.

Hemoglobin in the diet modulates post-blood feeding behavioral rhythms and gene expression in Aedes aegypti

This study shows that hemoglobin intake affects post-blood feeding behavior and gene expression in Ae. aegypti mosquitoes by altering circadian rhythms and sleep patterns.

Daily activity rhythms, sleep, and pregnancy are fundamentally related in the Pacific beetle mimic cockroach, Diploptera punctata

This study investigates the relationship between sleep and pregnancy in the viviparous cockroach Diploptera punctata, finding that sleep disruption during pregnancy affects embryo development and alters daily activity rhythms.

Parental exposure to wet and dry conditions shapes the viability and thermotolerance of eggs in Aedes aegypti

This study shows that parental exposure to wet and dry conditions affects egg viability, thermotolerance, and nutrient composition in Aedes aegypti.

Effect of prolonged dehydration stress on the vector competence of Aedes aegypti for Mayaro virus

This study examines how prolonged dehydration stress affects Mayaro virus infection and vector competence in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, finding that dehydration alters viral dissemination dynamics.

Thermal tolerance of mosquito eggs is associated with urban adaptation and human interactions

This study examines the thermotolerance of mosquito eggs and adults from Aedes species, finding that human-associated lineages have higher egg viability under high-temperature stress.

Cataract induction in an arthropod reveals how lens crystallins contribute to the formation of biological glass

The paper shows that knocking down Lens3 in beetle larvae causes cataracts, leading to image degradation and behavioral changes in low light, while not affecting focal length.

TcCARP3 modulates compartmentalized cAMP signals involved in osmoregulation, infection of mammalian cells, and colonization of the triatomine vector in the human pathogen Trypanosoma cruzi

This study identifies TcCARP3 as a regulator of cAMP signaling in Trypanosoma cruzi, essential for osmoregulation, host cell invasion, and vector colonization.

The impact of sugar diet on humidity preference, survival, and host landing in mosquitoes

This study shows that sugar diets affect humidity preference and survival in mosquitoes, with potential for mosquito control.

A microbiome-derived nutrient underlies tyrosine metabolism and predator avoidance in mosquito larvae

This study shows that microbiome-derived queuosine (Q) affects tyrosine metabolism and predator avoidance in mosquito larvae, leading to impaired behavior and survival.

Deployment and transcriptional evaluation of nitisinone, an FDA-approved drug, to control bed bugs

This study evaluates nitisinone (NTBC) as a new treatment for bed bugs, showing it is lethal to both susceptible and resistant populations but with slight resistance in the latter, and identifies molecular mechanisms of action.

Multiple bouts of blood feeding in mosquitoes allow prolonged survival and are predicted to increase viral transmission during drought

This study shows that repeated blood feeding during drought increases mosquito survival and viral transmission potential by enhancing activity and CO2 sensing.

Developmental stage and level of submersion in water impact the viability of lone star and winter tick eggs during flooding

This study examines how developmental stage and submersion level affect the viability of tick eggs from two species during flooding.

Impaired humidity sensing reduces tick survival by preventing water homeostasis

This study shows that impaired humidity sensing in ticks reduces survival by disrupting water homeostasis, particularly under variable environmental conditions.

Revisiting the paradigm of anhematophagy in male mosquitoes

This study challenges the assumption that male mosquitoes exclusively feed on plant sugars by showing they can take blood under dehydration/starvation and transmit pathogens.

Aedes albopictus colonies from different geographic origins differ in their sleep and activity levels but not in the time of peak activity

This study compares sleep and activity patterns of Aedes albopictus mosquito strains from different geographic origins, finding heritable differences in activity levels but not peak activity times.

Intra-species quantification reveals differences in activity and sleep levels in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti

This study compares activity and sleep levels across 17 Ae. aegypti lines, finding population differences linked to host preference, ancestry, and human population density.

Diaci v3.0: Chromosome-level assembly, de novo transcriptome and manual annotation of Diaphorina citri, insect vector of Huanglongbing

The paper presents a chromosome-level genome assembly and manual annotation of Diaphorina citri, along with transcriptome and endosymbiont genomes, providing genomic resources for pest control research.

Exploring the molecular makeup of support cells in insect camera eyes

The paper investigates molecular similarities in support cells (SupCs) across different eye types in insects and vertebrates, finding conserved gene expression patterns.

Live-bearing cockroach genome reveals convergent evolutionary mechanisms linked to viviparity in insects and beyond

The paper identifies common genomic pathways involved in viviparity across insects, suggesting convergent evolution mechanisms shared with vertebrates.