Edible Aquatic Insects: Diversities, Nutrition, and Safety

Edible insects have great potential to be human food; among them, aquatic insects have unique characteristics and deserve special attention. Before consuming these insects, the nutrition and food safety should always be considered. In this review, we summarized the species diversity, nutrition composition, and food safety of edible aquatic insects, and also compared their distinguished characteristics with those of terrestrial insects. Generally, in contrast with the role of plant feeders that most terrestrial edible insect species play, most aquatic edible insects are carnivorous animals. Besides the differences in physiology and metabolism, there are differences in fat, fatty acid, limiting/flavor amino acid, and mineral element contents between terrestrial and aquatic insects. Furthermore, heavy metal, pesticide residue, and uric acid composition, concerning food safety, are also discussed. Combined with the nutritional characteristics of aquatic insects, it is not recommended to eat the wild resources on a large scale. For the aquatic insects with large consumption, it is better to realize the standardized cultivation before they can be safely eaten.

True hopper fossils (Fulgoromorpha and Cicadomorpha) in the Jurassic to Cretaceous of eastern Asia and their evolutionary implications

True hoppers, consisting of Fulgoromorpha and Cicadomorpha, are plant feeders with very high species-level diversity. A large amount of true hopper fossils have been reported from eastern Asia, especially from the Middle to Late Jurassic Yanliao Biota, the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota and mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber in the last two decades. Herein, true hoppers from the Jurassic and Cretaceous of eastern Asia are reviewed, and combining palaeontological data from other regions of the world and recent advances of molecular studies, the evolutionary history of true hoppers in the mid-late Mesozoic is discussed. Permocicada beipiaoensis Wang, 1987 and Archijassus plurinervis Zhang, 1985 are here excluded from Prosboloidea and Archijassidae respectively. To the end of 2020, a total of 203 species with definite systematic position have been documented in the Jurassic and Cretaceous of eastern Asia (China, Myanmar, Siberia, Mongolia, Japan and Korea), and were attributed to 116 genera in 22 families and 7 superfamilies. Available fossil data suggest that true hopper components strongly changed in the Cretaceous: primitive groups reduced and went extinct successively, and the origin and/or early diversification of most lineages (family or subfamily level) occurred, likely owing to the displacement of host-plants in the angiosperm floristic revolution.

The Effect of Botanicals with Nematicidal Activity on the Structural and Functional Characteristics of the Soil Nematode Community

We investigated the effects of three botanicals with nematicidal properties (anise-Pimpinella anisum, parsley-Petroselinum crispum, and rocket-Eruca sativa) on the soil nematode community, in terms of trophic structure and nematode genera composition. We compared effects with those of fluopyram (synthetic nematicide) and Nemagold (bionematicide). We assessed the role of time, by sampling 15 and 45 days after treatments and analyzing nematode genera and microbial phospholipid fatty acid biomarkers (PLFA). Soil incorporation of botanicals reduced plant parasitic nematodes, increased bacterivores, especially the enrichment opportunists and among them Rhabditis, having no effect on fungivores and non-parasitic plant feeders. Neither the number nor the composition and dominance hierarchy of nematode genera were affected. Nemagold did not induce any significant change, while fluopyram decreased both free-living and parasitic nematodes, but with no uniform effect against all genera. The least affected genus was the fungivorous Aphelenchus. While most microbial PLFAs increased with time, the abundances of nematode genera did not change, except the Meloidogyne incognita second stage juveniles, which emerged in soil only 45 days after treatments. The low enrichment index and high channel index values of the fluopyram soil samples indicated a stressful environment. The opposite was observed in the botanical treatments, especially parsley and rocket.

Phytophagous energy plantings of willow

Purpose. Investigation of the species composition and the number of plant feeders in energy willow plantations. Method. Field, accounting, statistical, analytical. Results. Today, growing plants for the production of biofuels is a promising source of energy that have a high potential for energy recovery. Biomass of energy crops such as willow is a renewable energy source with zero balance of carbon dioxide and methane. Fast-growing trees such as willow are perennials that are able to produce biomass over a long period. However, like any plant, willow is a host tree for many living organisms, including insects. According to the results of our observations and records, among the latter, this crop is damaged by both soil and land plant feeders. Of the soil pests, the most dangerous for willow are the larvae of several species of May beetles, which feed on the roots causing significant inhibition of growth and development of plants or even their death. The number of these insects per square meter in different zones ranges from 0.6–0.8 to 1.6–1.9. In the focuses, the population density of the larvae per square meter reaches 8.8. In addition to beetle larvae, the root system of willow is damaged by the larvae of click beetles, Elatericlae, Blaps and Anisoplia austriaca larvae. The number of these larvae per square meter ranges between 0.8 and 2.3 and between 0.5 and 2.7, respectively. Of land pests, willow is damaged by Chrysomela saliceti (0.7–7.2, in focuses 3.2–22.0 pests/plant), willow aphid (population score 1.1–1.8, in focuses 1.7–2.3), Hyponomeuta malinellus (population ratio 1.1–1.2, in focuses 1.8–2.1), Leucoma salicis (0.2–0.3, in focuses 1.9–6.1 larvae/plant), Chionaspis salicis (0.7–1.0, in focuses 2.3–10.0 individuals), Tetranychus urticae (population score 1.0–1.3, in focuses 1.4–2.3) and Philaenus spumarius, (0.1–0.8 in focuses 1.0–3.4 pests/plant). The control of the number of these plant feeders is carried out by soaking of cuttings before planting in insecticide solutions, as well as spraying the plants with chemicals against land pests. Conclusions. Energy willow plants are damaged by many species of soil and land plant feeders, the number of which depends on the area of growing. Controlling of their number is carried out by soaking cuttings before planting in insecticide solutions and spraying plants.

Horizontally acquired antibacterial genes associated with adaptive radiation of ladybird beetles

Background Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) has been documented in many herbivorous insects, conferring the ability to digest plant material and promoting their remarkable ecological diversification. Previous reports suggest HGT of antibacterial enzymes may have contributed to the insect immune response and limit bacterial growth. Carnivorous insects also display many evolutionary successful lineages, but in contrast to the plant feeders, the potential role of HGTs has been less well-studied. Results Using genomic and transcriptomic data from 38 species of ladybird beetles, we identified a set of bacterial cell wall hydrolase (cwh) genes acquired by this group of beetles. Infection with Bacillus subtilis led to upregulated expression of these ladybird cwh genes, and their recombinantly produced proteins limited bacterial proliferation. Moreover, RNAi-mediated cwh knockdown led to downregulation of other antibacterial genes, indicating a role in antibacterial immune defense. cwh genes are rare in eukaryotes, but have been maintained in all tested Coccinellinae species, suggesting that this putative immune-related HGT event played a role in the evolution of this speciose subfamily of predominant predatory ladybirds. Conclusion Our work demonstrates that, in a manner analogous to HGT-facilitated plant feeding, enhanced immunity through HGT might have played a key role in the prey adaptation and niche expansion that promoted the diversification of carnivorous beetle lineages. We believe that this represents the first example of immune-related HGT in carnivorous insects with an association with a subsequent successful species radiation.

Host plant discrimination through mobility parameters by eriophyoid mites

Eriophyoidea is a well-known mite taxon of economic importance. Due to their small size, elucidating many of their bio-ecological aspects becomes a challenge. These mites are obligatory plant feeders, with high host specificity and vagrant (free living) and non-vagrant (part or whole life cycle in a host) lifestyles. The mobility (distance walked - mm, resting time - s, and number of stops) of these mites on host and non-host plant species has been investigated. Eriophyoid species were submitted to walking tests on host and non-host plants using five vagrant species and five non-vagrant species. The walking was recorded with video tracking (ViewPoint) for ten minutes. Twenty replicates were performed for each treatment (eriophyoid species and plant). There was a difference in the behavioral response of the species studied in relation to the hosts. When the species were grouped by ecological lifestyle (vagrant and non-vagrant), non-vagrant eriophyoids presented a higher mobility (higher distance walked, less resting time) than vagrant eriophyoids on their respective hosts. There was no difference in the mobility of vagrant and non-vagrant species on non-host plants. The absence of a pattern of behavioral response among the species tested here indicates that more factors are involved in the host identification and acceptance process.

Species of herbivore mammals in Striltsivsky Steppe and their environment-forming role for the ecosystems of the nature reserve

The article describes the key herbivore mammals species of in Striltsivsky Steppe. The authors noticed changes in the list of mammalian genera, namely, a decrease in the number of certain groups of characteristic steppe plant feeders, as well as the appearance and distribution of species common for forest biotopes. An increase in the number of large plant feeders (such as wild boar and roe deer) was noted, although the nature and scale of their environment-forming role are insufficient in suppressing reservogenic successions of the vegetation cover. Based on own observations and literature data analysis, the authors predict that the relevant trends in the flora and fauna composition in the reserve will continue in the future provided that the current regime of its territory remains the same.

The Tetranychoidea, Tarsonemidae and Tydeoidea mite complex on Florida citrus between 1954 and 2014: pests or beneficials?

A survey of the mite fauna on citrus was conducted in 542 dooryard trees in the following counties: Dade (24), Broward (127), Palm Beach (68), Martin (35), St. Lucie (20), Indian River (11), Collier (23), Lee (37), Charlotte (20), Sarasota (67), Manatee (18), Pinellas (59), Polk (32), and Highlands (1) to update our knowledge of the mite complex on Florida citrus. We also sampled 25 varietal citrus trees at two research centers in Polk and Dade Counties. A third block of 'Tahiti' lime trees was sampled at the Tropical Research & Education Center in Dade County. At least 787 commercial citrus trees were also sampled in Florida between 2009 and 2014. Here we report the frequency and occurrence of the Tetranychoidea, Tarsonemidae and Tydeoidea on those trees. Previous field studies of the Tarsonemidae and Tydeoidea on citrus in Florida between 1993-2003, a horticultural mineral oil (HMO) field study during 1994-1996 and M. H. Muma from 1961-1975 are included for comparison. Eutetranychus species near orientalis was collected from a lemon tree in Broward County. This is a new record of this species on Florida citrus. Additional new records of mites on Florida citrus include Tarsonemidae: Fungitarsonemus setillus Sousa et al, Tarsonemus confusus Ewing, and Tarsonemus waitei Banks; Tydeoidea: (Iolinidae)- Parapronematus n sp, Neopronematus n sp; (Triophtydeidae): Triophtydeus immanis Kuznetzov, T. n sp; (Tydeidae): Afrotydeus n sp, Brachytydeus sp near australiensis, B. n sp, Pretydeus sp near reticulatus, and Tydeus sp near munsteri. Seven species of tarsonemids were collected from dooryard and varietal block citrus during the 2009-2014 survey compared with one species from commercial citrus trees. A total of 27 species of Tarsonemidae were collected from citrus in Florida between 1954 and 2014. Thirteen species of Tydeoidea were collected from dooryard and varietal block citrus trees during the 2009-2014 survey compared with 4 species from commercial citrus trees. A total of 31 species of Tydeoidea were collected from citrus in Florida between 1961-2014. The roles that different species of tarsonemid and tydeoid mites have as plant feeders, fungivores, mycophages, or predators of one or more phytophagous mites are discussed.

Monitoring of gardens and parks plantations in the Ukraine Forest-steppe zone

Goal. To monitor the phytosanitary state of parks and gardens plantations in the Ukrainian Forest-steppe zone and to identify species consistence of the dominant invaders. Methods. Reconnaissances, collection of materials and other attendances were carried out by using generally known ecology and entomology methods using determinants and atlases. Accounting results were subjected to variation-statistical analysis by special application program package according to the statistics and computer graphics: Microsoft Excel 2010, Statgraphics plus. Results. As a result of the phytosanitary state of the parks and gardens plantations in the forest-steppe zone were determined phytophagans species composition including 14 species of invaders among which were dominated Lepidopterans species (70.4%). Less numerous species were expanded forms of Coleoptera — 13.4%, Dipteran — 12.8% and other species which were 3.4%. The most widespread gardens and parks plantations invaders are: chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella Deschka & Dimic), fall webworm moth (Hyphantria cunea Drury.), linden moth (Phyllonorycter issikii Kumata), acacia lotus borer (Etiella zinckenella Tr.). Among the fastest spreading invaders is boxen lotus borer (Cydalima perspectalis Walker) (common box) from South-East Asia. In Ukraine this species was discovered in 2016 in Transcarpathia region. Conclusion. Over the last years destructive plant feeders such as: horse chestnut leaf miner, fall webworm moth, linden moth and others became more spreading within the parks and gardens plantations of the Ukrainian Forest-steppe zone. The significant injury by adventive species — boxen lotus bore was discovered. The lack of well-timed gardens and parks monitoring in the Ukrainian Forest-steppe zone led to mass distribution of lots of harmful species both quarantine and invasitions.

Two Eocene species of peacock mites (Acari: Tetranychoidea: Tuckerellidae)

Tuckerellidae are suctorial plant feeders with a wide host range, exploiting both aboveground and underground plant parts. A new species, Tuckerella weiterschani n. sp., is described from Eocene (ca. 40 mya) Baltic amber, and Tuckerella fossilibus Khaustov, Sergeyenko and Perkovsky, 2014 from Eocene Rovno (Ukrainian) amber is redescribed, each based on single holotype specimens. The two mites are morphologically distinct, with most striking differences concerning posterior, H-row of idiosomal setae. Tuckerella fossilibus has unusually large, obovate setae h1, while the other, setae in H-row are robust and fagellate with three different lengths. The new species, T. weiterschani, has small, narrowly lanceolate setae h1, while flagellate h2–h8 are fine, filiform and similar in length. Setae h1–h8 in the holotype of T. weiterschani are held erect and directed forward over the mite’s body, in a position reminiscent of the apparently defensive posture displayed by recent Tuckerella species. Tarsal setations of the two fossils and comparison with those of the recent Tuckerellidae advances discussion on the evolutionary significance of setal variation in acariform mites.