Insect-Plant Interactions and Control

Coevolution in a warming world: an experimental test of the geographic mosaic of coevolution

The paper tests the geographic mosaic theory of coevolution by experimentally showing how temperature and bumblebee presence influence plant-butterfly coevolutionary trajectories over generations.

A novel chitinase-like family of candidate effectors unique to aphids

The paper identifies a novel aphid-specific effector family, CHL, associated with avirulence through differential expression and structural analysis.

Compartmentalized above- and belowground defenses in Tanacetum vulgare are tailored to localized antagonists

This study examines how different terpenoid chemotypes in Tanacetum vulgare respond to root-chewing wireworms and phloem-feeding aphids, revealing chemotype-specific defense strategies.

Differentially acetylated chitosan oligosaccharides as plant defense elicitors against spider mites

This study shows that DACOS, a chitosan oligosaccharide, enhances plant defense against spider mites by inducing systemic resistance and repellency without direct acaricidal effects.

Rhizobacteria inoculation of plants for reducing insect pests: A meta-analysis on insect behaviour and fitness

This study meta-analyzes the effects of rhizobacteria inoculation on insect fitness and behavior, finding reduced herbivore fitness but variable effects based on herbivore type and bacterial species.

leafing phenology and insect seasonality in an ever-wet tropical forest

The paper examines insect seasonality in an ever-wet tropical forest, finding seasonal peaks in leaf production and herbivore abundance linked to climate and host phenology.

Desmodium Volatiles in "Push-Pull" Cropping Systems and Protection Against the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda

This study investigates whether volatiles from Desmodium plants repel fall armyworm moths in push-pull cropping systems, finding that while some volatiles may repel, they are not sufficient to explain reduced pest infestation.

Jasmonic Acid Oxidases (JAO) define a new branch in jasmonate metabolism towards 11OH-jasmonic acid and its glucosylated derivative

The paper identifies JAO enzymes as producing 11OH-JA and its glucosylated derivative, and shows their role in fungal infection, contrasting with mechanical wounding-induced 12OH-JA formation.

(3R, 7S)-11-hydroxy-jasmonic acid is a major oxidative shunt product of jasmonate catabolism in Arabidopsis thaliana

This study identifies (3R,7S)-11-hydroxy-jasmonic acid as a major oxidative shunt product of jasmonate catabolism in Arabidopsis thaliana, showing it is biologically inactive and distinct from the 12-hydroxy-JA pathway.

Ecological context determines whether inherited stress responses of hosts benefit or harm herbivores

The paper shows inherited stress responses in plants can benefit or harm aphids depending on metabolite type and ecological context.

Oviposition behavior, nymphal development, and below-ground olfactory preference of Pentastiridius leporinus on twelve Beta vulgaris genotypes

This study examines how different Beta vulgaris genotypes affect oviposition, nymphal development, and below-ground olfactory preferences of Pentastiridius leporinus, revealing mismatches between adult and nymphal behaviors.

The ecological and economic benefits of sustainable agricultural practices: Evidence from on-farm trials in broad-acre grain crops

This study evaluates the ecological and economic benefits of sustainable agricultural practices through on-farm trials in Australia, finding similar yields and profits between conventional and sustainable methods while supporting biodiversity.

Aphid-derived cross-kingdom RNA dynamics underpin maize resistance

This study identifies aphid-derived lncRNAs that influence maize resistance by showing their systemic movement and impact on aphid fecundity and colonization.

Insect-derived long non-coding RNAs function as epigenetic effectors to reprogram plant immunity

This study identifies insect-derived lncRNAs that reprogram plant immunity by epigenetically suppressing defense genes.

Soybean aphids exploit abscisic acid signaling to suppress jasmonate defense responses

This study shows soybean aphids suppress plant jasmonate defenses by inducing abscisic acid signaling, which antagonizes jasmonate responses.

The association of Mediterranean plant species with herbivorous arthropods and its effect on pest abundance in organic vineyards

The study examines how Mediterranean plant species around organic vineyards affect herbivorous arthropod abundance and pest distribution.

New Record of Four Thrips Species Infesting Flower Buds of Magnolia champaca in India

The paper identifies four new thrips species infesting Magnolia champaca in India, with Psephenothrips machili being the dominant pest causing significant damage.

Unveiling the Hidden Feast: translating molecular detection into predation rate. An example on biological control by generalist predators in agricultural fields.

The paper develops a Hierarchical Bayesian Model to estimate predation rates using molecular detection data and field/laboratory observations, applied to carabid beetles in agricultural fields.

Augment rice ANNEXIN expression to counter planthopper NlAnnexin-like5 as an anti-virulence strategy against a major crop pest

This paper identifies NlANX5, a BPH salivary protein that targets rice annexins, and shows that enhancing rice annexin expression counteracts NlANX5's virulence, offering an anti-virulence strategy against BPH.

Volatile compounds released by undamaged plants influence the adaptive growth strategies of neighboring plants

The paper shows that barley plants use constitutive VOCs from undamaged neighbors to adjust their growth-defense trade-off based on neighbor growth rate.

Aphid effector Mp10 balances immune suppression and defence activation through EDS1-dependent modulation of plant DAMP responses

The paper identifies Mp10, an aphid effector, as a molecule that suppresses plant DAMP-induced immunity but also modulates EDS1-dependent defences to enhance aphid reproduction.

Does field margin semi-natural habitat amplify the abundance of beneficial spiders in a vineyard canopy?

The study compares spider abundance in vineyard canopies near and away from semi-natural habitats, finding no significant difference.

The metabolic ability of swallowtails results in the production of bioactive substances from plant components

The paper investigates how the metabolic system of Papilio memnon larvae transforms host plant components into bioactive substances, identifying two chlorophyll catabolites with anti-cancer and anti-amyloid properties.

Transcriptomics and trans-organellar complementation reveal a limited signaling capacity of 12-cis-oxo-phytodienoic acid in wounded Arabidopsis

The paper investigates OPDA signaling in Arabidopsis by comparing transcriptomes of mutants and applying OPDA externally, finding limited signaling capacity and compartmentalization of endogenous OPDA.

Aphid effectors suppress plant immunity via recruiting defence proteins to processing bodies

This study shows aphid effector proteins recruit plant immune regulators to processing bodies, suppressing defenses, while a plant protein counteracts this effect.

Effects of variability in the amount and dispersion of within-plant herbivory on resistance- and tolerance-related responses in wild cotton

This study examines how different levels and distributions of herbivory affect defensive responses in wild cotton, finding that dispersed damage increases extrafloral nectar production while concentrated damage reduces regrowth.

High-throughput chemical toxicity testing for beneficial insects: The value of coated vials

This study compares coated vials and Potter tower sprays for assessing insecticide toxicity in beneficial insects, finding comparable LC50-values across methods.

Different artificial lighting spectra change the mating behavior of generalist predator Orius insidiosus (Say), and photoperiod extension promotes its development

This study shows that different LED light spectra affect mating behavior and development of the predator Orius insidiosus, with blue light reducing mating and photoperiod extension improving reproduction.

Fertilization reduces aphid performance but does not alter competitive exclusion between specialist and generalist species

Volatiles from low R:FR-treated maize plants increase the emission of herbivore-induced plant volatiles in their neighbors

The paper shows that low R:FR light increases HIPV emissions in maize plants exposed to HIPVs from neighbors, independent of emitter light conditions.