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PubMed2026

Cucurbitacins in Plant-Insect Interactions: Biosynthesis, Regulation, Ecological Functions, and Prospects for Crop Protection.

Cucurbitacins are highly oxygenated tetracyclic triterpenoids characterized by intense bitterness, substantial structural diversity, and important consequences for plant-herbivore interactions. Although best known from Cucurbitaceae, cucurbitacins and related cucurbitane-type metabolites also occur in phylogenetically distant herbaceous and woody plants. Genetic and biochemical studies have validated several core biosynthetic steps, including cucurbitadienol formation by oxidosqualene cyclases and subsequent modification by cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, acyltransferases, and glycosyltransferases. Tissue-preferential basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors constitute the best-characterized regulatory layer, whereas the evidence supporting accessory regulators, transporters, and environmental responses varies from functional validation to transcriptomic or genomic prediction. From the plant perspective, cucurbitacins deter feeding or impair performance in many generalist and non-adapted herbivores. By contrast, their use as host-recognition cues and feeding stimulants by specialist diabroticite beetles reflects evolved herbivore adaptations involving perception, tolerance, metabolism, or sequestration rather than a second defensive function of the plant trait. Herbivore-induced cucurbitacin accumulation has been demonstrated in particular systems, although its regulatory mechanisms and ecological generality remain unresolved. Unlike previous reviews centered primarily on cucurbitacin chemistry, pharmacological activity, or individual biosynthetic pathways, this review integrates evidence-graded pathway reconstruction and molecular regulation with taxonomic distribution, insect adaptation, domestication, and agroecological consequences. Mechanistically, this review traces how scaffold formation, oxidative tailoring, conjugation, tissue-specific regulation, and transport give rise to contrasting ecological outcomes through herbivore-specific perception, tolerance, metabolism, and sequestration. We conclude that uniformly increasing or eliminating cucurbitacins is unlikely to provide broadly effective crop resistance because either direction may favor a different herbivore group. Future priorities include functional validation of candidate genes, spatially resolved metabolite analysis, comparative investigation of non-cucurbit lineages, and field evaluation involving generalist and specialist herbivores, crop quality, and non-target organisms. These advances will support context-specific fruit-quality improvement, behavioral pest control, and integrated pest management strategies rather than cucurbitacin manipulation as a stand-alone resistance approach.

agroecology↗
PubMed2026

Tropilaelaps mercedesae: an emerging global threat to apiculture - a comprehensive review.

Honey bees (Apis spp.) are key pollinators in agricultural and natural ecosystems; however, their populations are declining due to multiple interacting stressors and their synergistic effects, including parasitic mites. While Varroa destructor is widely recognized as the primary global driver of colony losses, mites of the genus Tropilaelaps, particularly Tropilaelaps mercedesae, are emerging as a serious and still underestimated threat. Native to Asia and naturally associated with wild hosts such as Apis dorsata, T. mercedesae has successfully transitioned to managed Apis mellifera colonies and is now widespread across much of Asia. Recent reports from Central Asia and the Caucasus and western Eurasian regions (including Georgia and Russia) indicate that this species is undergoing an ongoing westward expansion toward Europe. Its biological traits-including an extremely short reproductive cycle, obligate dependence on sealed brood, high dispersal capacity, and the potential to transmit viruses such as deformed wing virus (DWV)-facilitate rapid population growth and severe colony-level damage, particularly in A. mellifera, which lacks effective behavioral defenses against this mite. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the taxonomy, morphology, life cycle, host-parasite interactions, geographic distribution, and spread of Tropilaelaps mites, with emphasis on T. mercedesae. It also evaluates available diagnostic approaches, including brood-based methods, adult bee-based methods, and natural mite-fall techniques. Furthermore, evidence on chemical and biotechnical control strategies is summarized, and their strengths, limitations, and integration within an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) framework are discussed. Overall, current findings highlight the urgent need to strengthen surveillance, standardize diagnostic protocols, and develop sustainable control strategies to prevent the global spread of Tropilaelaps mites.

A. mellifera↗
PubMed2026

Identification and functional validation of glutathione S-transferase genes involved in detoxification of sulfoxaflor, afidopyropen and lambda-cyhalothrin in Aphis glycines.

BACKGROUND: Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) play important roles in the detoxification of insecticides in insects. However, genome-wide identification and functional characterization of the GST gene family in the soybean aphid Aphis glycines have not been performed. RESULTS: A total of 17 AgGST genes were identified in the A. glycines genome and classified into five classes. Phylogenetic analysis and chromosomal mapping showed that delta and epsilon class genes experienced significant expansion. Exposure to LC₅₀ concentrations of sulfoxaflor, afidopyropen and lambda-cyhalothrin strongly induced several AgGST genes with AgGSTd5, AgGSTd6 and AgGSTe2 displaying the highest expression levels. RNA interference of AgGSTd5 significantly increased aphid mortality following exposure to all three insecticides. Knockdown of AgGSTd6 significantly elevated mortality under sulfoxaflor, while knockdown of AgGSTe2 significantly increased mortality under both sulfoxaflor and lambda-cyhalothrin. In contrast, silencing of AgGSTt1 and AgGSTt2 showed no significant effect on aphid mortality under the tested insecticides. CONCLUSION: This study provides comprehensive characterization of the GST gene family in A. glycines and demonstrates that AgGSTd5 plays a central role in the detoxification of sulfoxaflor, afidopyropen and lambda-cyhalothrin, while AgGSTd6 and AgGSTe2 contribute to tolerance against specific insecticides among the three compounds. These genes represent promising molecular targets for monitoring insecticide detoxification responses and for the development of strategies based on GST inhibitors to enhance insecticide efficacy in integrated pest management. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Preliminary mapping of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) tolerance genes to the English grain aphid (Sitobion avenae Fabricius) by genome-wide association study.

Six Sitobion avenae-tolerant wheat accessions, mapped 110 associated SNPs and six candidate genes were identified, providing valuable genetic resources for breeding wheat with tolerance to S. avenae. Wheat tolerance to the English grain aphid (Sitobion avenae) is rarely incorporated into integrated pest management strategies for wheat fields. The scarcity of tolerant accession and insufficient mapping of tolerance-related gene are key limiting factors. To address these gaps, 640 wheat accessions were evaluated for S. avenae tolerance, combined with genome-wide association study (GWAS) and qPCR validation. Six wheat accessions with stable tolerance were identified: Lerma Rojo 64, AC Vista, Hanxuan 10, Zimai, Ningnuomai 1, Louguding. A total of 110 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci associated with tolerance to S. avenae were mapped, and six candidate genes (TraesCS2D03G0041800, TraesCS2Dnew048215, TraesCS2D03G0046300, TraesCS6B03G0655800, TraesCS2Dnew048223, TraesCS2D03G0040800) were examined for transcriptional responses following aphid infestation via qRT-PCR. These genes are involved in cellular redox homeostasis, ADP-binding-mediated defense, and photosystem II (PSII) functionality. This study provides valuable genetic resources for breeding wheat with tolerance to S. avenae and lays a foundation for subsequent functional validation of these tolerance genes and its molecular mechanism exploration.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Male accessory gland proteins in Grapholita molesta: Identification and reproductive functional validation of four accessory gland-specific lipases.

Accessory gland proteins (Acps), synthesized in the male accessory glands (AGs), are transferred to females via spermatophores during mating and elicit diverse post-mating physiological and behavioral responses. However, Acps have not been comprehensively characterized in Grapholita molesta, a cosmopolitan orchard pest. Here, using data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry, we describe an integrated proteomic approach combining comparative AG analyses (virgin vs. newly mated) with spermatophore profiling to identify Acps in G. molesta. According to the established screening criteria, we identified 83 confirmed Acps, which were classified into nine categories. Tissue-specific expression patterns of 20 randomly selected Acp genes were evaluated, revealing that these genes were specifically or highly expressed in male AGs. Among the 83 confirmed Acps, four Acps harbored the PLN02872 superfamily domain and were classified into the canonical lipase family. Notably, their transcripts were all highly expressed in the AGs during the pre-maturation stage. These four Acps were selected for preliminary validation of their male reproductive functions. RNAi-mediated knockdown of three out of four lipase genes in G. molesta males significantly decreased the fertility of mated females, with phenotypes including a significant reduction in egg production and egg hatching rate. This study provides a comprehensive catalog of high-confidence Acps, lays a foundation for subsequent in-depth functional characterization of these reproductive proteins, and offers promising molecular targets for the development of novel genetic regulation-based integrated pest management strategies.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Antennal transcriptome analysis of chemosensory proteins in the raspberry weevil, Aegorhinus superciliosus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

Aegorhinus superciliosus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a polyphagous pest of economic importance in southern Chile, the chemical ecology of which remains poorly characterized. Across insect species, chemosensory proteins, including odorant receptors (ORs), gustatory receptors (GRs), ionotropic receptors (IRs), odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), chemosensory proteins (CSPs), and sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs), mediate the detection of chemical cues involved in host selection, reproduction, and other ecologically relevant behaviors. In this study, the antennal transcriptome of adult A. superciliosus was sequenced and analyzed using a de novo RNA-seq approach. Three independent biological replicates per sex were used for RNA-seq, and the same number of independent biological replicates was used for RT-qPCR validation; sequencing yielded 147,409,936 high-quality reads after quality filtering. A total of 112 candidate chemosensory genes were identified, comprising 43 ORs, 34 OBPs, 10 CSPs, 18 IRs, 5 GRs, and 2 SNMPs. Phylogenetic analyses assigned these candidate proteins to established clades, providing a comparative framework for functional inference for ORs and OBPs. Sex- and tissue-biased expression analyses revealed that several ORs, including AsupOR4, AsupOR19, and AsupOBP13, exhibit antennal enrichment and sex-specific expression patterns. Notably, AsupOR19 and AsupOBP13 displayed strong female-biased expression. In addition, transcripts of selected ORs and OBPs were detected in non-antennal tissues, such as the rostrum and legs, suggesting potential functional versatility beyond canonical olfaction. Together, these findings represent the first molecular identification of the chemosensory repertoire of A. superciliosus. This study establishes a foundation for reverse chemical ecology approaches aimed at identifying behaviorally active volatile organic compounds (VOCs) toward environmentally sustainable strategies for integrated pest management.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Characterization of putatively lytic bacteriophages able to infect Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri and identification of novel putative exopolysaccharide depolymerases.

Asiatic citrus canker (ACC), caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (X. citri), leads to substantial economic losses in the global citrus industry, necessitating sustainable alternatives to conventional copper-based bactericides. In this study, we isolated and sequenced 72 putatively lytic bacteriophages (including 65 previously uncharacterized isolates from São Paulo, Brazil) and characterized their host range, stability and biocontrol potential. Genomic analysis revealed highly successful but low-diversity phage genomic signatures; 70 isolates shared ~95% DNA similarity and were closely related to the Japanese phage CP2, mirroring the clonal nature of the endemic X. citri population. These phages primarily belong to the Autographiviridae family, with the exception of the Schitoviridae isolate XacP77. Using HHsearch and AlphaFold structural modelling, we identified conserved tail-fibre genes predicted to encode putative exopolysaccharide depolymerases with structural homology to carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs), which may facilitate the degradation of the bacterial xanthan gum capsule during infection. While the phages exhibited robust stability across a wide pH range (4-11) and temperatures up to 55 °C, they were highly sensitive to UV exposure, reaching total inactivation after 160 s. Greenhouse assays demonstrated that treatment with phage P27 reduced ACC lesion production by 60%, pointing to the potential of these viruses and their candidate CBM-containing proteins as components of a sustainable biocontrol development within integrated pest management strategies for X. citri.

Xanthomonas↗
PubMed2026

Exploring Actinobacteria for new insecticides and their delivery in crop protection.

Crop protection is essential for agricultural production systems, safeguarding yields and product quality. Chemical controls are a mainstay of protection; however, regulatory and consumer demands, environmental concerns and a general overreliance resulting in resistance development in pest populations have led to increased interest in biopesticides and environmentally friendly alternatives. Biopesticides targeting insects include micro-organisms and their derivatives, such as peptides and specialized metabolites. Their target specificity, structural complexity, modes of action and environmental safety are key differentiators to chemical controls, and when used in integrated pest management programmes, biopesticides can reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and promote sustainable agriculture. As the demand for bioinsecticides grows, so too has the research and application of micro-organisms, alongside their taxonomic diversity and isolation sources. Of key interest are Actinobacteria as both promising and well-tested alternatives for managing insect pests in various agricultural settings, with several products commercialized for use across a variety of crops and target pests. Recent advances and investigations in metabolomics and genomics highlight the untapped and significant biochemical potential and value of Actinobacteria for natural product discovery. This review covers a broad spectrum of published literature that has reported on insecticidal biological activity data associated with Actinobacteria or their natural products. We also report on Actinobacteria-derived nematicides and acaricides that are significant for crop protection. The origin of these natural products, their structural diversity and notable substructures are discussed, along with new areas for discovery and avenues for enhancing screening methods and metabolo-genomics approaches.

Insecticides↗
PubMed2026

Virus-induced gene silencing as a tool for functional genomics in weeds: Challenges and future directions.

Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) has evolved from a conceptual demonstration of antiviral defense into a pivotal reverse-genetics platform for plant functional genomics. By exploiting engineered DNA- or RNA-based viral vectors, VIGS enables rapid, sequence-specific transcript knockdown through RNA-mediated degradation of target transcripts. Recent refinements in vector design, inoculation strategies, and viral species selection, such as TRV, BSMV, and FoMV, have expanded its application to previously recalcitrant plants, including major crops and emerging weed models. In weeds, functional genomics remains particularly challenging due to high genetic variability, limited genomic resources, and incompatibility with conventional viral vectors and transformation systems. In this context, VIGS provides a tractable approach to investigate genes associated with herbicide resistance, metabolic adaptation, and stress tolerance. Beyond weed biology, its application to studies of immune signaling, hormonal crosstalk, and secondary metabolism highlights VIGS as a versatile biotechnology for elucidating gene function and supporting next-generation strategies in plant improvement and integrated pest management.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2026

PCR-based species identification tools for wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae) of economic importance in Canada.

BACKGROUND: Coexistence of pest and non-pest wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae) in agricultural fields makes species-level identification critical to determine when pest management measures are required. However, morphological identification of wireworms (larval stage of click beetles) is challenging, as larvae are difficult to distinguish based on morphological features and misidentifications are common. Here, we developed species-specific primers for 15 click beetle species to be used in PCR-based species-level identification for agricultural fields across Canada. RESULTS: Partial sequences of the gene regions cytochrome c oxidase I (COXI), 16S, 12S, 28S, 18S, internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2), cytochrome-b (CYTB), elongation factor 1 (EF1), ATP6/8, NADH dehydrogenase 1 (ND1), NADH dehydrogenase 2 (ND2), NADH dehydrogenase 3 (ND3), NADH dehydrogenase 4 (ND4), NADH dehydrogenase 5 (ND5) and NADH dehydrogenase 6 (ND6) were generated for elaterid species of interest. Of these gene regions, primers were designed on the mitochondrial gene regions COXI, CYTB and ND1 that had sufficient variation to discriminate among species and tested for species specificity using additional pest and non-pest species from the families Elateridae, Carabidae, Scarabidae and Silphidae. Specificity testing confirmed that all primer sets were species-specific. CONCLUSION: The novel primers designed in this study allow for PCR-based species identification of 15 economically important click beetle pest species in Canada. Further testing is needed to validate the assay for use outside of Canada. Accurate species-level identification will benefit pest management professionals by informing management decisions and reducing the use of insurance insecticide applications due to difficulties with identifications of wireworm pest species. © 2026 His Majesty the King in Right of Canada and The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Animals↗
PubMed2024

Solving the 250-year-old mystery of the origin and global spread of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica.

The origin of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica, is enigmatic, in part because it is ubiquitous worldwide in human-built structures but absent from any natural habitats. The first historical records of this species are from ca. 250 years ago (ya) from central Europe (hence its name). However, recent research suggests that the center of diversity of the genus is Asian, where its closest relatives are found. To solve this paradox, we sampled genome-wide markers of 281 cockroaches from 17 countries across six continents. We confirm that B. germanica evolved from the Asian cockroach Blattella asahinai approximately 2,100 ya, probably by adapting to human settlements in India or Myanmar. Our genomic analyses reconstructed two primary global spread routes, one older, westward route to the Middle East coinciding with various Islamic dynasties (~1,200 ya), and another younger eastward route coinciding with the European colonial period (~390 ya). While Europe was not central to the early domestication and spread of the German cockroach, European advances in long-distance transportation and temperature-controlled housing were likely important for the more recent global spread, increasing chances of successful dispersal to and establishment in new regions. The global genetic structure of German cockroaches further supports our model, as it generally aligns with geopolitical boundaries, suggesting regional bridgehead populations established following the advent of international commerce.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

The chemical landscape of plant surface metabolites: Acylsugars as models of ecological function and structural diversity.

Plants produce a multifunctional assortment of specialized metabolites that play important roles in defense, environmental adaptation, and ecological interactions. Among these compounds, acylsugars, nonvolatile metabolites produced primarily in glandular trichomes of Solanaceae species, have emerged as informative model systems for understanding plant surface chemistry. Differences in acyl chain length, branching pattern, saturation, and attachment position generate extensive chemical diversity that influences herbivore deterrence, pathogen resistance, and the physicochemical properties of leaf surfaces. Recent advances in analytical chemistry, particularly liquid chromatography-ion mobility-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-IM-MS/MS), have greatly improved the ability to separate structurally related acylsugar isomers and characterize metabolite complexity at high resolution. When integrated with genomics, transcriptomics, and emerging spatial metabolomics approaches, these analytical tools provide new insights into acylsugar biosynthesis, pathway regulation, evolutionary diversification, and ecological function across plant species. This review positions acylsugars, particularly those of Solanum species, as model systems for understanding how structural diversity, spatial localization, and specialized metabolism shape ecological and physiological function at plant surfaces. We examine acylsugar structural diversity, biosynthetic pathways, ecological and physiological functions, and interactions with environmental and atmospheric processes. Major challenges, including extensive isomeric complexity, incomplete pathway characterization, and difficulties linking chemical structure to biological function, are discussed alongside emerging opportunities in integrative omics, crop improvement, sustainable pest management, and environmental monitoring. Overall, acylsugars provide a powerful model for linking molecular structure, spatial localization, and ecological function, offering broader insight into how specialized metabolism shapes plant adaptation, defense, and environmental interactions.

Acylsugars↗
PubMed2026

Proteomic responses of the oil palm pest Metisa plana (Psychidae) to farnesyl acetate exposure.

Metisa plana Walker (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) is a major defoliator of oil palm in Malaysia, causing substantial economic losses. Farnesyl acetate (FA), a sesquiterpenoid compound, has been proposed as a potential insecticidal agent against M. plana, yet its molecular impact on larval physiology remains poorly understood. Here, we employed label-free quantitative proteomics, functional enrichment analysis, and targeted transcript assessment to characterize the temporal proteomic response of M. plana larvae at 7 and 14 days after treatment (DAT) with FA. Principal component analysis revealed robust separation between treated and control samples at both time points, indicating sustained treatment-driven proteomic restructuring. Early exposure (7 DAT) elicited a heterogeneous response involving stress-associated proteins, redox enzymes, and cytoskeletal regulators, whereas later exposure (14 DAT) produced a consolidated profile characterized by metabolic reprogramming, downregulation of ribosomal proteins, induction of heat shock proteins, and enrichment of RNA surveillance and mitochondrial pathways. Targeted transcript analysis qualitatively supported proteomic trends for HSP83 and aldehyde dehydrogenase X, although limited amplification precluded quantitative inference. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that FA exposure drives a shift from acute proteomic perturbation toward a maintenance-oriented physiological state, prioritizing proteostasis, energy management, and stress adaptation over growth and development. This integrated molecular perspective provides mechanistic insight into the chronic effects of FA, highlighting its potential to suppress larval performance and informing the development of biorational, physiology-based pest management strategies in non-model insects.

Animals↗
PubMed2025

Disruption of HaVipR1 confers Vip3Aa resistance in the moth crop pest Helicoverpa armigera.

The global reliance on Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins for controlling lepidopteran pests in cotton, corn, and soybean crops underscores the critical need to understand resistance mechanisms. Vip3Aa, one of the most widely deployed and currently effective Bt proteins in genetically modified crops, plays a pivotal role in pest management. This study investigates the molecular basis of Vip3Aa resistance in Australian Helicoverpa armigera through genetic crosses, and integrated genomic and transcriptomic analyses. We identified a previously uncharacterized gene, LOC110373801 (designated HaVipR1), as potentially important in Vip3Aa resistance in two field-derived resistant lines. Functional validation using CRISPR/Cas9 knockout in susceptible lines confirmed the gene's role in conferring high-level resistance to Vip3Aa. Despite extensive laboratory selection of Vip3Aa-resistant colonies in Lepidoptera, the biochemical mechanisms underlying resistance have remained elusive. Our research identifies HaVipR1 as a potential contributor to resistance, adding to our understanding of how insects may develop resistance to this important Bt protein. The identification of HaVipR1 contributes to our understanding of potential resistance mechanisms and may inform future resistance management strategies. Future work should explore the biochemical pathways influenced by HaVipR1 and assess its interactions with other resistance mechanisms. The approach utilized here underscores the value of field-derived resistant lines for understanding resistance in agricultural pests and highlights the need for targeted approaches to manage resistance sustainably.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Adaptation to Plant Defence in an Agricultural Insect Pest: Integrating Genome Scans and Gene Expression in the Soybean Aphid Reveals Multi-Genic Pathways.

In agroecosystems, intense selection pressures cause species to adapt and spread, often leading to the evolution and persistence of pests. Understanding how pests rapidly adapt can help develop sustainable strategies for their management and improve agroecosystem health. Pest adaptation involves stable variations in DNA sequence, as well as dynamic shifts in gene expression, often mediated by non-coding regulatory elements. We examined adaptation to plant defences in the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines, in which virulent aphids have overcome plant defences and avirulent aphids have not. Previous data with laboratory colonies suggested that virulent aphids have higher overall gene expression, including transposable elements, some of which influence gene regulation. However, we lack information on how genetic variation in natural populations impacts adaptation and potentially gene regulation. We integrated population genome scans of field-collected, soybean aphid populations with gene expression profiles of virulent and avirulent laboratory colonies to uncover connections between genetic differentiation and gene regulation for virulence. Genome scan methods found 2144 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with significant genetic differentiation (i.e., outliers) in field-collected populations. These SNPs were near 1004 genes, representing 5.16% of the effective number of genes. Based on previous RNA-Seq data with laboratory colonies, we found 3160 genes and 147 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) with differential expression among virulent and avirulent biotypes. By integrating both data sets, we identified 16 genes and 5 long non-coding RNAs with differential expression and that were associated with an outlier SNP (within 10 kbp). We validated SNPs with additional field collected aphids and found an aphid clone with stronger virulence than our laboratory virulent colony, surviving on 2 different aphid-resistant soybean varieties. This new virulent clone had fixed allele differences at 9 SNPs compared to our avirulent and other virulent colony. Field collected soybean aphids matching the phenotype of this new virulent clone had significant genetic differentiation with 3 outlier SNPs near genes related to zinc transport and lachesin compared to field collected avirulent aphids. Our entire data reinforced the importance of a potential multi-genetic response to overcome plant defence and generates new insights into complex genetic and regulatory mechanisms involved in insect-plant interactions.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

The Adaptive Roles of Active Transposable Elements in Insect Hosts.

Active transposable elements (TEs) are capable of generating new insertions in genomes and have historically been viewed as genomic parasites due to their largely detrimental or neutral effects. However, emerging evidence suggests that these elements also play a crucial role in driving adaptive evolution in insects. This mini-review synthesizes recent findings on how active TEs contribute to insect adaptation through various mechanisms, including regulation of gene expression, structural variation, and epigenetic effects. Notable examples of adaptation driven by active TEs include their roles in insecticide resistance, morphological adaptations, tolerance to harsh climates, and antiviral immune responses. We argue that while host silencing mechanisms, such as the piRNA pathway, tightly regulate TE activity to minimize harmful effects, the context-dependent activation of active TEs can generate beneficial genetic variation that enhances insect adaptations to anthropogenic and climatic pressures. Future research that integrates long-read sequencing, single-cell omics, and gene editing techniques will provide a robust mechanistic foundation for understanding the adaptive significance of active TEs in insects, with important implications for pest management, pollinator protection, and evolutionary biology.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2026

Molecular and transcriptional regulation of plant defense responses to aphid infestation.

Aphids are one of the important agricultural pests causing substantial yield losses in crops grown across the globe. Aphids are known to cause direct feeding damages and indirect losses due to sooty mold development and plant virus transmission. Plants respond to these attacks by mounting a complex defense response at the infested sites and systemic levels. This multilayered defense response involves a highly coordinated network of phytohormones and other signalling components like Ca2+, mitogen activated protein kinases and reactive oxygen species. Key to these complex responses is a well-regulated gene expression involving several transcription factors. A wide range of transcription factors are structurally and functionally characterized across some model plants and in a few agronomically important crops. These transcription factors play diverse roles such as defense gene expression modulation, regulation of hormone signaling, secondary metabolism, oxidative stress response, cell wall modifications, and phloem-based defense. Understanding the integration of signaling pathways, hormone crosstalk, and transcription factor mediated regulation provides a framework for practical applications, including breeding, genome editing, and elicitor-based strategies. This review highlights how plant defense signaling and transcriptional regulation against aphids can be harnessed to develop sustainable and novel pest management solutions.

Aphid↗
PubMed2026

The transgenic Vip3A poplar plant confers high resistance against Hyphantria cunea Drury.

Poplar is severely damaged by Hyphantria cunea (fall webworm), which significantly reduces tree productivity. However, conventional pest management methods are largely ineffective against fall webworm infestation. In this study, we demonstrated that the Vip3A protein possesses high insecticidal activity against H. cunea by overexpressing a synthetic THI1-Vip3A gene in poplar plants. A dicot codon-optimized Vip3A gene, fused with the THI1 chloroplast signal peptide sequence, was chemically synthesized and introduced into the poplar cv. '741' genome via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. PCR, RT-PCR, and ELISA analyses confirmed the integration and successful expression of the transgene at both the mRNA and protein levels. The Vip3A protein concentration in chloroplasts was approximately 4.8-fold higher than in the whole leaf extract, indicating that the Vip3A protein was successfully targeted to and accumulated within the chloroplasts by the THI1 signal peptide. Subsequently, four transgenic lines with high Vip3A expression were subjected to H. cunea infestation. Compared to wild-type plants, these four transgenic lines exhibited significantly higher resistance, resulting in pest mortality rates exceeding 95% and significantly reduced leaf damage. Together, these results indicate that Vip3A possesses high insecticidal activity against H. cunea. Therefore, transgenic THI1-Vip3A poplar plants can serve as valuable germplasm for breeding poplar cultivars with high resistance to H. cunea infestation.

Plants, Genetically Modified↗