Ovavesicula popilliae (Microsporidia: Ovavesiculidae) is a host specific, obligate pathogen of Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, JB) that causes chronic disease and mortality of larvae, and reduced fecundity of surviving females. Ten sites in Colorado along the leading edge of the westward spread of JB across North America were inoculated in 2015 or 2018 by drenching a small area (200 m2) of turfgrass with solutions of O. popilliae spore vesicles made from macerated infected beetles. This paper reports infection rates in 2021 and 2022 at these sites plus 6 control sites added in 2020 or 2021 to evaluate the impact of inoculations. Infections were diagnosed by extracting DNA from 96 JB per site for qPCR analysis of O. popilliae DNA. A 4-fold greater infection rate in 2022 at inoculated sites compared with control sites is evidence that inoculations augment establishment of O. popilliae. Infection rates of JB at inoculation sites did not reach 1.0% for 3 to 6 yr following inoculations, most likely because the area inoculated is small (200 m2) while JB traps baited with pheromone plus feeding lure attract JB from a large surrounding area.

Aprostocetus brevipedicellus Yang and Cao (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is a gregarious egg parasitoid of lepidopterous pests and a promising biological control agent for many forest pests. To establish optimal mass rearing conditions for A. brevipedicellus, we evaluated its biological and population parameters, as well as offspring fitness, when reared on eggs of Antheraea pernyi Guérin-Méneville (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae). The parasitoid was exposed to 5 constant temperatures (16, 20, 24, 28, and 30 °C) at 65% to 75% relative humidity (RH) and 4 humidity levels (30, 50, 70, and 90 ± 5% RH) at 23 to 25 °C. The results showed that the 24 °C and 70% RH treatment elicited the optimal reproductive performance in A. brevipedicellus, yielding both the highest fecundity and net reproduction rate (R0) among all tested temperature and humidity treatments, 13% to 50% and 19% to 74% higher, respectively, than those under the remaining treatments. Meanwhile, the highest offspring emergence rate and the lowest number of dead parasitoids per host egg were also observed at 24 °C and 70% RH treatment. Furthermore, A. brevipedicellus exhibits considerable tolerance to humidity, completing its life cycle at 24 °C across the entire tested range (30% to 90% RH). However, its thermal tolerance was more limited. The larvae survived in a state of arrested development at 16 °C, and although adults developed at 32 °C, they failed to emerge from host eggs. These findings indicate that 24 °C and 70% RH are the optimal conditions for the mass production of A. brevipedicellus.

The arrangement of crop hosts in the landscape plays a role in polyphagous pest exposure to multiple chemical applications that can affect resistance selection. Stink bugs are a group of polyphagous pest species that utilize both crop and noncrop hosts throughout the growing season, leading to insecticide exposure in different crops. The spatiotemporal arrangement of common crop hosts creates a mosaic of host patches that are infested by stink bugs during the growing season in eastern North Carolina. This study explored the relationship between stink bug insecticide susceptibility and landscape composition in that region. Stink bug populations were collected from 35 locations from 2022 to 2024 in eastern North Carolina. A glass-vial bioassay procedure was used to evaluate bifenthrin susceptibility of Euschistus servus Say (brown stink bug), Chinavia hilaris Say (green stink bug), and Nezara viridula L. (southern green stink bug). We then used a geospatial approach to explore the relationship between insecticide susceptibility of stink bug species and landscape-level availability of host crops where bifenthrin is commonly used. Our results showed that in bifenthrin susceptibility differed among stink bug populations. Species level susceptibility was not consistently related to the abundance and frequency of their host crops. Stink bug susceptibility to bifenthrin reported here will provide the baseline data in future resistance monitoring programs.

The paropsine leaf beetles Paropsis charybdis (Stål) and Paropsisterna cloelia (Stål) are 2 major defoliators on eucalypts in New Zealand. In Australia, arthropod predators can contribute to suppressing paropsine populations. Identifying key predators of paropsine beetles from the wild and confirming predation events can be challenging but it is an essential step in the selection of biocontrol agents. Molecular gut content analysis using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) offers an efficient tool to study predation. We developed 2 species-specific RT-PCR assays with primers that amplify 180 bp DNA fragments of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I of P. charybdis and Pst. cloelia. Specificity of the assays was validated using 5 closely related, nontarget paropsine species, 13 predator taxa, and 4 species of alternative prey. Both assays have a high specificity and sensitivity, can distinguish DNA of the 2 paropsine species from nontarget species and detect as little as 10 copies of DNA within the bodies of field-collected arthropod predators. Further, we provide a rigorously tested surface decontamination method for predator samples collected with a beating tray to avoid compromising molecular results with the detection of trace prey DNA on the exterior of the predator. These 2 RT-PCR assays represent the first ready-to-use molecular approach that can reveal the relationship between paropsines and arthropod predators in the field. They could be used to evaluate potential biocontrol agents, assess their post-release control effectiveness, and study spatial and seasonal variation of predator-prey dynamics to understand the effectiveness of management strategies.

With the projected increase in the global population to 10 billion by 2050, the global agricultural system is under immense strain to meet the growing demand for food while also ensuring sustainability and efficiency. Insects present a promising alternative to traditional feed sources, as they can transform low-quality ingredients such as organic food waste into high-quality protein feed. As insects are rich in protein, essential amino acids, and other nutrients that are beneficial for animal health and growth, they indeed offer a promising alternative to traditional feed sources. However, there are concerns regarding potential health risks associated with consuming insects, such as allergens or pathogens. This study focuses on addressing a key knowledge gap by evaluating the efficacy of electron beam (eBeam) technology, an FDA-approved nonthermal intervention for the microbial decontamination of insect-based feed products. For this study, Salmonella Infantis was experimentally inoculated into 4 different matrices, including houseflies, mosquitoes, cricket meal, and frass. The samples were then subjected to a range of eBeam doses to determine the matrix-specific thresholds for pathogen, specifically Salmonella, inactivation. Our results indicate that even though the eBeam dose varied by substrate, complete inactivation of Salmonella was achieved at doses ranging from 5 to 12.5 kGy based on the type of matrix. These results underscore the potential of eBeam technology as a scalable, nonthermal solution to enhance the microbial safety of insect-based feeds, and its adoption may significantly contribute to food safety and sustainability.

The pecan weevil, Curculio caryae (Horn) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a direct pest of pecan nuts often causing economic injury. Larvae feed and develop within the pecan nut, mature fourth instars emerge from nuts during autumn, drop to the orchard floor and complete development underground. However, a proportion of pecan weevil larvae remain in nuts at harvest. We tested electron beam irradiation of pecan weevil larvae as a potential phytosanitary treatment against infested nuts being shipped to production regions free of pecan weevil. Irradiation doses of 0, 150, 400, 750, and 1,000 Gy were assayed against pecan weevil using different larval exposure methods (bare larvae [bare], larvae in microfuge tubes [tube], and larvae in microfuge tubes placed into empty pecan shells [nut]). After treatment application, larvae were held singly in Petri dishes at 15 °C and examined for 60 d to determine mortality. Results revealed that larval mortality increased with days after treatment for each irradiation dose, including 0 Gy, for the 3 exposure methods. Mortality was generally lower for larvae in the tube and nut at 400, 750, and 1,000 Gy than for bare larvae. Overall mortality was lower for lower irradiation doses but higher for higher doses, and over time no larvae survived 1,000 Gy. These results strongly suggest that irradiation is an effective method to control in-shell pecan weevil larvae.

Euschistus quadrator Rolston (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a polyphagous pest of row crops in the southern United States. In Louisiana, it is part of a complex of stink bug pests of soybean but historically has been a minor component. However, recent reports suggest E. quadrator is becoming more numerous. To address this, studies were conducted to: (i) mine past survey data to determine the extent and importance of E. quadrator, (ii) determine current E. quadrator age-specific population dynamics in relationship to soybean crop phenology, (iii) conduct assays to determine supercooling points (SCP) for adults, and (iv) conduct age-stage, two-sex life table studies to understand the survival and reproductive capabilities of E. quadrator on soybean. Over the 12-year survey period, E. quadrator and E. servus were the most numerous brown species. From 2008 to 2010, E. servus was the most dominant of the two species. In 2015, a switch occurred with E. quadrator becoming the most dominant. Nymphs and adults of E. quadrator were found throughout R2 to R7, indicating visitation, egg deposition, and eclosion throughout soybean reproductive stages. However, E. quadrator adults were significantly less numerous at R2 to R4 stages and significantly more numerous at the R5 to R7 stages. The SCP of E. quadrator was -9.9 ± 0.2 °C. Life table studies proved E. quadrator can successfully utilize soybean as a food source and will maintain population growth. In summary, this research enhances current knowledge of E. quadrator and provides a foundation for creating models to estimate population growth in the field.

Host plant resistance (HPR) has shown potential for suppressing sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), in smooth (glabrous) crop varieties lacking leaf trichomes. The objective of this study was to investigate the interaction between HPR and insecticidal control, aiming to enhance their collective efficacy in whitefly management. Field trials were conducted in cotton and cantaloupe planted as strip crops at 2 locations in southern Georgia, United States: Tifton and Camilla. Treatments comprised 2 insecticides, based on the active ingredients pyriproxyfen and cyantraniliprole, with 2 different trichome conditions: pubescent (hairy), or smooth varieties. During the crop growing season, B. tabaci adult, egg, and nymph populations were monitored, and whitefly preferences were evaluated. Results indicate a preference of whiteflies for cotton and cantaloupe pubescent varieties, largely attributed to the presence of leaf trichomes. Pyriproxyfen predominantly reduced nymph populations, while cyantraniliprole was effective against both immatures and adults. Significant interactions among crop type, trichome presence, and insecticide application in determining B. tabaci abundance were measured. The glabrous cotton variety demonstrated greater whitefly suppression compared to glabrous melon, and cyantraniliprole exhibited a heightened initial mortality in pubescent cultivars. The study underscores the importance of selecting smooth leaf crop varieties in integrated B. tabaci management strategies. The results illuminate the need for developing real-world testing models with compatible strategies of integrated pest management (IPM) programs for B. tabaci and provide a wide-ranging insight into the interactive effects and dependency of multiple components involved in whitefly control in multicropping systems.

The biological control for fruit flies in Brazil has been extended with the introduction of the parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead, 1905) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and native parasitoids, such as Doryctobracon brasiliensis (Szepligeti, 1911) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), which show great potential for control. Among the main pest species of fruit flies, Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Tephritidae) have a wide geographic distribution in the South American continent. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the functional response of D. brasiliensis to the density of A. fraterculus larvae and to model the parasitism rates of D. longicaudata and D. brasiliensis on A. fraterculus and that of D. longicaudata when exposed to C. capitata. The experiments were conducted to evaluate the parasitism rate, and the data were subjected to statistical analysis, verifying the probability distribution. The parasitism rate of D. brasiliensis ranged from 82.2% to 35% when 5 and 30 larvae were offered to each female, respectively. The results revealed a type II functional response, indicating that the parasitism rate reached a saturation point as the larval density increased. In A. fraterculus, the average number of larvae parasitized by D. longicaudata females was higher than that of C. capitata at nearly all host densities. The highest percentage of parasitism (55%) was observed at the density of 3 larvae per parasitoid, similar to what was recorded for C. capitata. The results obtained support the biological control program for fruit flies in Brazil, optimizing laboratory rearing and field release.

Insect quiescence and diapause are characterized by suspension of development, often accompanied by obvious signs of inactivity such as loss of mobility and reduced respiration. However, in some stored product insects such as the khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium Everts, Coleoptera: Dermestidae), larvae may fail to develop with few obvious behavioral indicators. A series of experiments were performed to test whether temperature acclimation or crowding that delays development can also affect subsequent adult reproduction, larval orientation toward food-associated kairomones in a wind tunnel, and outcomes of trapping assays. Results indicate that both mechanisms for delaying reproduction led to greater offspring production compared to normal colonies. It was also found that normal larvae were more likely to approach or enter baited traps than cold-acclimated or crowded larvae. Normal larvae were more likely to recognize and walk upwind to wheat odors when they were present, unlike the cold-acclimated or crowded larvae, whose behavior was not affected by the food odor. However, the 2 types of developmental delay treatments differed in that cold-acclimated larvae were more likely to make no movements at all in the wind tunnel compared to the crowded larvae. The results indicate that both triggers for developmental delay may affect the ability of larvae to orient toward kairomone-baited traps, potentially reducing overall population estimates.

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), spotted-wing drosophila, is an invasive pest native to East Asia that causes significant economic losses in soft-skinned high-value fruit like blueberries. Current management strategies heavily rely on insecticide applications, raising concerns about resistance and sustainability. This study evaluated the efficacy of plant-derived volatile blends, including Decoy Attract and Kill (A&K) (Batch no. 24026021), Combi-protec (Batch no. SP2211XXUS), Decoy (Batch no. 42022121, 10% citric acid), and fermentation-based volatiles of Scentry experimental blend (SEB) (Batch no. SBI2024200-005), and Droski drink (acetic acid) as potential behavioral disruptors that reduce D. suzukii oviposition without insecticide use. These five volatile blends, except Decoy and Droski drink have undisclosed active ingredients. Three concentrations of Decoy A&K (0.5, 2, and 5 mM) and four other blends were tested using Drosophila activity monitor (DAM), electroantennography (EAG), laboratory behavioral trials, and exclusion cage semi-field oviposition trials. DAM quantified positional preference and dwell time to blends, while EAG measured antennal responses to Decoy A&K. Laboratory behavioral trials assessed oviposition and dwelling behaviors, while exclusion caged semifield trials evaluated oviposition behavior alone. Decoy A&K, Combi-protec, and Decoy significantly increased dwell time and reduced oviposition on blueberries, both in controlled and semi-field conditions. EAG responses showed that D. suzukii can detect Decoy A&K volatiles through olfaction, likely mediating the observed behavioral results. These findings highlight the potential of selected volatile blends as tools for behavioral disruption, supporting their application in integrated pest management strategies, including push-pull or attract-and-kill systems for D. suzukii.

The weevil Aegorhinus nodipennis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) (Hope, 1834) is a polyphagous woodboring beetle of economic concern in Chile and southern Argentina, mainly affecting berries and hazelnut. Although insecticides may be applied in hazelnut orchards, their effectiveness is limited and can be environmentally impactful, underscoring the need for alternative, sustainable control strategies. Attempts to exploit semiochemicals for attraction or repellence have yielded only modest results, failing to support effective trapping or deterrence. This study investigates substrate-borne vibrations as a complementary behavioral management tool by examining their potential to induce defensive responses in A. nodipennis. We demonstrate that walking individuals exhibit a stereotyped freezing response to vibrational stimuli, with peak sensitivity at 50 to 150 Hz (median threshold at 0.71 m/s2) and a secondary sensitivity increase at 1-2 kHz. The duration of the immobile phase increases strongly with stimulus duration, with a median around 200 s following a 5 s stimulus, but is much less affected by amplitude once the threshold is exceeded. In addition, weevils exhibit a marked postfreeze locomotor suppression, with walking speed reduced to 25% to 30% of prestimulus levels. These findings suggest that extended low-amplitude vibrational stimuli could effectively suppress activity and feeding. This offers a novel, nonchemical, and potentially economically viable approach in managing this pest. Deterrent vibrations could be deployed directly on host plants or on structural barriers in orchards. This study provides a foundation for integrating vibrational cues into pest management frameworks for A. nodipennis and related weevils, though results are currently limited to females.

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius L.) are blood feeders whose survival is significantly influenced by environmental factors such as temperature and relative humidity (RH). Despite their adaptations to survive in harsh environments such as a low net transpiration rate and high critical thermal maximum, their physiological limits to heat and humidity remain underexplored. This study aims to determine the lethal temperature and RH combinations for bed bugs to improve non-chemical pest management strategies. Adult male bed bugs were exposed to 5 temperatures (25, 37, 38, 39, and 40 °C) and 3 RH levels (10%, 45%, and 90%) in controlled incubators for 14 d. Median survival times (MSTs) and hazard ratios were determined using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The results revealed that at 37 °C, bed bugs exhibited relatively higher survival (MST > 14 d), particularly at 45% and 90% RH suggesting that physiological mechanisms may mitigate heat stress. However, survival declined to 12 d at 37 °C with 10% RH, and this reduction at low RH was amplified at higher temperatures, where MST fell to 4-6 d at 39 °C and only 3 d at 40 °C. These results demonstrate that dry environments exacerbate thermal stress. At 40 °C, mortality was highest across all RH levels, with the shortest survival time (1 d) observed at 90% RH, which indicates that heat in combination with high humidity is most effective at inducing heat-related mortality in C. lectularius. These findings highlight bed bugs' vulnerability to environmental stressors outside their temperate origins.

Helicoverpa zea (Bodie) is a widespread damaging pest in the US that has evolved varying levels of resistance to Cry toxins in corn and cotton. To delay resistance evolution to this pest and others targeted by Bt corn, growers in the southern United States are required to plant at least 20% of their corn area with non-Bt corn. However, growers are reluctant to do this. Multiple small-plot research studies show timely planted non-Bt and Bt corn hybrids yield equally; however, growers often think non-Bt hybrids yield less than Bt hybrids. In response, we compared non-Bt and Bt hybrids using grower-owned planting and harvesting equipment. Growers planted 5 corn hybrids as strip plots (Bt-P1197YHR, DKC65-99, non-Bt-P1197LR, DKC67-70, and DKC65-93) in 2022 at 27 locations and 4 hybrids (excluding DKC65-93) in 2023 at 28 locations throughout North Carolina. When corn reached dent (R5), we measured the area of H. zea injury from each hybrid at each location. We calculated yield and economic net returns at harvest. We separated analyses for Bt trait pyramid and hybrid for both feeding and yield. H. zea feeding was at moderate levels, following predictable patterns. There were no significant differences between Bt and non-Bt hybrids within the 2 companies we compared (Pioneer [P] and Bayer [DKC]) across both years. In general, farm profitability is not statistically different when planting a 20% non-Bt refuge compared to planting 100% Bt corn. Factors other than typical H. zea feeding are more impactful on yield in North Carolina.

The cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (Fabricious) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae), is a serious insect pest species in tobacco storage. In this paper, we initially tested the behavioral responses of cigarette beetle adults to 32 plant essential oils in a dual-choice bioassay. Then we selected twelve essential oils showing significant behavioral activity on the cigarette beetle adults and validated their activity on a second bioassay apparatus using a locomotion compensator. Among the essential oils tested, 8 exhibited a significant attractive effect (Litsea cubeba; Nardostachys jatamansi; Cymbopogon citratus; Capsicum annuum; Morus alba; Citrus limon; Matricaria chamomilla; Coffea arabica), while 4 essential oils exhibited significant repellent effect (Syringa oblate; Perillae folium; Carthamus tinctorius; Valeriana officinalis). The result of locomotion compensator bioassay was fully consistent with those of the dual-choice bioassay. Principle component analysis of the walking parameters recorded by locomotion compensator shows that the 7 parameters could be integrated as "activity factor" and "attractivity factor."

Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a significant agricultural pest, and the growing issue of pesticide resistance, in this species, has underscored the urgent need to identify alternative, sustainable insecticides. Allium sativum Linnaeus (Asparagales: Amaryllidaceae) is renowned for its broad-spectrum biological activities, including antibacterial and detoxifying properties. Consequently, it has gained considerable attention in the field of plant protection. This study investigates the repellent effects of allicin on A. gossypii and its impact on the pest's growth and development under fumigation conditions, leveraging the volatile nature of allicin. The findings revealed that fumigation with allicin, diluted 50-fold, exhibited the most pronounced repellent effect on A. gossypii. The repellency rates reached 88% and 86% after 12 and 24 hours of treatment, respectively, while the mortality rates were 46% and 66% for the exact durations. Additionally, allicin significantly influenced the behavioral choices, growth and development, reproductive capacity, and population establishment of A. gossypii. The efficacy of allicin against A. gossypii demonstrated a concentration-dependent effect, with its fumigation activity diminishing as the concentration decreased. These results provide a scientific foundation for the application of allicin in controlling A. gossypii, offer valuable insights for further field trials, and establish a groundwork for utilizing allicin as a fumigant to manage and prevent aphid infestations in agricultural settings.

The cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), has emerged as a key pest of ornamental plants, yet effective monitoring tools for its management remain limited. This study investigated the spatial distribution and developed fixed-precision sequential sampling plans for P. solenopsis populations on Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.) under urban landscape conditions in Khuzestan province, southwest Iran. Spatial distribution analyses using Taylor's power law and Iwao's patchiness regression revealed significant aggregation across developmental stages, with nymphs exhibiting the highest degree of clumping and adults showing weaker aggregation due to greater dispersal ability. Based on these aggregation parameters, sequential sampling plans were generated for nymphs, adults, and combined populations at 3 precision levels (D = 0.25, 0.15, and 0.10). Optimum sample size requirements were density-dependent and consistently higher for nymphs than for adults. Validation through resampling confirmed that achieved precision closely matched target levels, with mean sample sizes for combined stages (nymphs and adults) ranging from 47 (D = 0.25) to 294 (D = 0.10). The D = 0.25 plan provided robust accuracy while substantially reducing sampling effort, making it most suitable for practical pest management. By contrast, the D = 0.10 plan is recommended for research requiring high precision. These findings provide the first validated sequential sampling framework for P. solenopsis on hibiscus, offering an efficient and reliable basis for integrated pest management in urban green spaces.

The nutritional status of the parasitic wasp Aphidius gifuensis Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Aphididae) is a critical factor affecting its physiological activities, which are key to mass reproduction and field application. In this study, we constructed an age-stage, two-sex life table under a group-rearing conditions by feeding adult A. gifuensis with 5% (w/v) solutions of honey, fructose, glucose, or sucrose. The results showed that fructose, sucrose, and glucose significantly extended the longevity of male A. gifuensis compared to the water control. However, fructose, sucrose, and glucose had no significant impact on the longevity of female A. gifuensis. Sugar-fed parasitoid wasps had significantly shorter mean generation time compared with control, with parasitoids fed with glucose having the shortest mean generation time. The order of intrinsic rate of increase (rm) by treatment was Sucrose (0.4140), Glucose (0.4039), Honey (0.3911), Fructose (0.3903), and Water (0.3679). The rm were significantly higher in the glucose and sucrose treatments than in the water control. Additionally, the peaks of age-stage-specific reproductive value (vxj) by treatment were: Sucrose (190.15), Glucose (154.56), Honey (147.64), Fructose (139.41), and Water (104.05). Fructose, glucose, and sucrose treatments significantly increased female fecundity compared to the control, with sucrose-fed females showing the highest fecundity among the sugar treatments. These results demonstrate that sugar supplementation positively affects the reproduction of A. gifuensis. Both sucrose and glucose resulted in significantly higher rm values in adult, highlighting their effectiveness as nutritional supplements. Considering the lower cost of sucrose compared to glucose, sucrose is recommended as a dietary supplement for adults in mass production and field applications.

Avocado lace bug, Pseudacysta perseae (Heidemann) (Hemiptera: Tingidae), is a sap-feeding insect that feeds on avocado leaves. Injury from P. perseae is indicated by areas of leaf chlorosis/necrosis. Large areas of injury can lead to premature leaf drop, and severe infestations can lead to large proportions of leaves dropping, adversely affecting fruit development and quality. Since its establishment in Hawai'i, P. perseae has become a ubiquitous pest across the islands and is correlated with yield decline. Due to the challenging topography of Hawai'i, lack of biocontrol agents, and mixed fruit tree orchards, effective management strategies are limited to pesticide use. Even so, routine foliar sprays of pesticides are not economically or logistically feasible for controlling P. perseae in Hawai'i. While synthetic systemic pesticides can be used as soil drenches, many show toxicity to nontarget animals and have limited application frequencies. However, research shows azadirachtin, an active component in the organic pesticide neem oil, has some systemic properties. This study investigated soil drenches of varying concentrations of azadirachtin in avocado seedlings on P. perseae nymphal mortality over eight weeks. Results showed mortality had an 85% to 98% probability of occurrence in the first week following drenching for nymphs feeding on azadirachtin-treated trees compared to 14% for untreated trees. Mortality for treated trees decreased through time but remained significantly higher than untreated trees 3 to 6 weeks following drenching. The findings from this study will aid in developing a more practical and economically reasonable management strategy for P. perseae in Hawai'i.

Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is highly invasive lepidopteran pest of global significance. Differentiating S. frugiperda from similar species, especially in non-adult stages, remains challenging. Rapid molecular identification techniques, such as multienzyme isothermal rapid amplification (MIRA) combined with lateral flow dipstick (MIRA-LFD), play a crucial role in early monitoring and safeguarding agricultural production. Our study introduces this platform for the rapid visual identification of S. frugiperda. The specific MIRA primers and the LFD probe were designed based on the COX1 genes. The MIRA reaction conditions were optimized (at 37 °C for 15 min) for effective template DNA amplification. The MIRA-LFD system achieved precise identification of the target species within 12 min at 37 °C. This method exhibited high specificity and sensitivity, allowing for detection from 1.0 ng·μl-1 of DNA. Combined with rapid DNA extraction, expedited identification of individual S. frugiperda at different developmental stages was achieved, enhancing the practicality and convenience of the established methods. In summary, our research demonstrates that the MIRA-LFD method for S. frugiperda detection achieved high accuracy with rapid results (entire workflow completion within 22 min at 37 °C, including crude DNA extraction, MIRA amplification, and LFD dipstick interpretation). This approach does not require expensive equipment, making it highly practical for field applications. It offers an improved solution for early detection of invasive arthropod pests and enhances field surveillance capabilities, thereby advancing precision pest management strategies.