The effects of high temperature on the developmental, morphological, and fecundity characteristics of insects, including biological invaders and their accompanying natural enemies, are clear. Phenacoccus solenopsis (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) is an aggressive invasive insect pest worldwide. Aenasius bambawalei (=Aenasius arizonensis Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is a predominant accompanying parasitoid of this mealybug. Our previous studies showed that temperature change induced an increase in the female offspring ratio of A. bambawalei. However, whether this increase is the result of a shortened or enhanced development period of the reproductive systems of A. bambawalei remains unknown. Here, we compared the pupal development, hind tibia of female adults, and fecundity of A. bambawalei under different temperatures to clarify the development and morphological changes induced by high temperature and to better understand its potential as an accompanying natural enemy. Our results showed that, at a high temperature (36 °C), the pupal developmental duration of A. bambawalei was only 0.80 times that of the control, and the length of the hind tibia was 1.16 times that of the control. Moreover, high temperature accelerated the developmental rate of gonads and increased the numbers of eggs and sperm. These results indicated that experimental warming shortened the pupal developmental duration, altered the hind tibia length of female adults, and facilitated the fecundity of A. bambawalei. These findings will help to understand the adaptation mechanisms of accompanying natural enemies. Furthermore, these findings will help to make use of this behavior to effectively control invasive pests.

The queen ant is central to colony reproduction and chemical communication. Removing her causes significant phenotypic changes, such as wing loss and oviposition in virgins, and the emergence of reproductive pseudoqueens. However, the effects of queen loss in the workers of invasive Solenopsis invicta have not been thoroughly documented. Our study compares worker behavior and gene expression post‐queen removal, revealing altered dietary preferences, life expectancy, and no change in necrophoresis behavior. The queen's absence mildly affects gene expression in major workers, but TO and MRJP1 expression rise in minors. Metabolite changes relate to unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis and autophagy, with increased lysosome production in queenless minors, likely due to the phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway in response to changes in nutritional status. This upregulation may clear cellular debris, ensuring nutrient stability and cellular integrity, and activate the PI3K/Akt pathway to regulate FoxO, enhancing resilience to sugar intake reduction and promoting longevity. We also suggest that the metabolite 12(Z), 15(Z)‐heneicosadienoic acid is key in MRJP synthesis, linked to worker ant longevity.

Imported fire ants (IFAs), Solenopsis invicta, release their venom through multiple stings that induce inflammation, allergies, shock, and even death. Although IFA venom protein sensitization and related subcutaneous immunotherapy have been studied, few studies have examined the potential toxicity or pathogenicity of alkaloids, the main substances in IFA venom. Here, IFA alkaloids were identified and analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry; we further determined an appropriate extraction method and its effectiveness for extracting high-purity alkaloids through comparative analysis and guinea pig skin sensitivity tests. The alkaloids released from the IFA abdomen included those present in the head and thorax, and the alkaloids in the abdomen accounted for the highest proportion of the total extract. The abdominal extirpation method yielded alkaloids with a purity above 97%, and the skin irritation response score and histopathological diagnosis suggest that intradermal injection of the extracted alkaloids produced symptoms effectively simulating those of IFA stings. The successful establishment of an inflammatory model in guinea pigs stung by IFAs provides a basis for further research on the mechanism of inflammatory diseases caused by IFAs.

Understanding the most effective host switch patterns in parasitic wasps, specifically Aenasius bambawalei (AB), is crucial for effectively controlling pests like Penacoccus solenopsis (PSS). This study aims to elucidate AB’s ideal host switch pattern and assess its utility in maintaining synchronization between AB and PSS, thereby aiding in PSS control. We examined various host switch patterns and cycles to evaluate their impact on AB’s offspring’s parasitism rates and fitness in laboratory conditions. Concurrently, we assessed the fitness of both PSS and AB on tomato plants using different banker plant systems to maintain field synchronization. Results indicate that the three-repeat T1 host switch pattern of PSS-Penacoccus solani (PSI)-PSS was the most effective. Additionally, a specific banker plant system, “System B”, which provided succulent plants hosting PSI, was optimal for synchronizing AB and PSS in a summer greenhouse setting. Our findings underscore the importance of employing specific host switch patterns and banker plant systems to effectively control PSS in the field. This research offers foundational data for incorporating a banker plant system into integrated pest management strategies for enhanced PSS control.

Paeonia lactiflora is an important traditional Chinese medicine. Its core bioactive component, albiflorin, exhibits significant pharmacological activity, but its biosynthetic pathway remains unclear, severely limiting the targeted regulation and sustainable utilization of this compound. In this study, integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that tissue specificity is a key factor driving metabolite accumulation. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) identified a gene module significantly positively correlated with albiflorin content. From this module, key candidate genes were screened, including MYB and bHLH transcription factor genes as well as CYP450. The expression patterns of these candidate genes were subsequently validated by qRT-PCR, confirming a strong correlation between the transcriptomic and experimental data. These findings not only clarify the molecular basis for the tissue-specific accumulation of albiflorin and provide critical targets for elucidating its complete biosynthetic pathway but also lay a solid foundation for molecular breeding and quality improvement of Paeonia lactiflora.

Dealation is a critical biological process in the life cycle of Solenopsis invicta Buren, playing a pivotal role in reproduction, population dispersal, and survival strategies. However, over the past 30 years, there have been few studies on the patterns and underlying mechanisms of dealation in S. invicta. Existing research has mainly focused on the monogyne form, and there are certain limitations in terms of data collection density and sample size. In this study, 1,000 alate virgin females (hereafter “AV-females”) of the polygyne form were individually isolated from queen pheromone exposure and monitored for independent dealation at 2-h intervals over 15 consecutive days. Results indicated that the peak dealation period for AV-females occurred between days 3 and 5, with 93.3% completing wing shedding within 2 to 6 days. The relationship between “dealation rate and dealation time” could be well fitted by a logistic model. Furthermore, dealation primarily occurred during the daytime, with 59.1% of AV-females completing dealation between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM, as well as between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM These findings provide foundational insights for advancing research into the mechanistic basis of dealation in S. invicta.