Three fruit borers Conogethes punctiferalis (Guenée) (Crambidae), Grapholita molesta Busck (Tortricidae), and Spilonota albicana Motschulsky (Tortricidae) are serious pests of fruit trees. In this study, their antennal morphology, types of sensilla, and distributions were observed by using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope). Nine types of sensilla were found on the antennae of C. punctiferalis, while eight types of sensilla were presented on each of G. molesta and S. albicana. The sensilla trichodea with two subtypes were the most abundant sensilla among three fruit borers. Two subtypes of sensillum coeloconica (type I with spines and type II without spines) were observed on the antennae of C. punctiferalis and G. molesta. However, sensilla coeloconica (type I) were only found in S. albicana. Although the sensilla campaniformia were only found on the antennae of C. punctiferalis, our observations confirm sensilla campaniformia presence in the moths. In addition, the functions of these sensilla were discussed based on previously reported lepidopteran insects. As a result, our study may provide useful information for advanced electrophysiological and behavioral experiments to better understand the mechanisms related to pests control.

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Pine wilt disease (PWD), a worldwide threat to pine forests, has caused tremendous damage to conifer forest in the world. However, little research has been conducted on the relationship between symbiosis functions of root associated fungi and pine wilt disease. In this study, we assessed the influence of seven ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECMF) and five dark septate endophytic fungi (DSE) on the growth traits and root morphology as well as the correlation of these parameters to the cumulative mortality and the morbidity rates in Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.showed the lowest cumulative mortality rates. We propose that the ECMF/DSE symbiosis enhanced the resistance of pine wilt disease via mitigation the dysfunction of water caused by PWN infection. Our research provided evidence that inoculation of ECMF/DSE could be a potential way for pine wilt disease prevention. To find highly efficient fungi for pine wilt disease management, more ECMF and DSE species should be tested.

The Chinese white pine beetle, Dendroctonus armandi Tsai and Li (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), is a serious pest of coniferous forests in China. Thus, there is considerable interest in developing eco-friendly pest-control methods, with the use of semiochemicals as a distinct possibility. Olfaction is extremely important for fitness of D. armandi because it is the primary mechanism through which the insect locates hosts and mates. Thus, here we characterized nine full-length genes encoding chemosensory proteins (CSPs) from D. armandi. The genes were ubiquitously and multiply expressed across different developmental stages and adult tissues, indicating various roles in developmental metamorphosis, olfaction, and gustation. Ligand-binding assays implied that DarmCSP2 may be the carrier of D. armandi pheromones and various plant host volatiles. These volatiles were identified through RNA interference of DarmCSP2 as: (+)-α-pinene, (+)-β-pinene, (−)-β-pinene, (+)-camphene, (+)-3-carene, and myrcene. The systematic chemosensory functional analysis of DarmCSP2 in this study clarified the molecular mechanisms underlying D. armandi olfaction and provided a theoretical foundation for eco-friendly pest control.

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