To determine the grasshopper species composition, altitudinal distribution patterns, and their main drivers, we conducted a study in Xizang using 33 sample plots ranging from 600 to 4100 m. Grasshoppers were collected from August to October during 2020–2022 using sweep nets. A total of 1159 grasshoppers from six families, 28 genera, and 44 species were identified, with Omocestus cuonaensis and Aserratus eminifrontus as the dominant species, comprising 30.03% and 10.26% of total grasshoppers, respectively. The results showed that species richness and the Margalef richness index of grasshopper communities decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing altitude, peaking at 1100–1600 m and lowest values at 2600–3100 m. Similarly, the Shannon–Wiener index and Simpson dominance index also decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with an increase in altitude, showing the highest and lowest values at 600–1100 m and 3100–3600 m, respectively. The Jaccard similarity coefficients among grasshopper communities varied from 0 to 0.40 across altitudinal gradients, indicating different degrees of dissimilarity. The results of Pearson correlation analyses showed that the Shannon–Wiener index, species richness, Margalef richness index, and Simpson dominance index of grasshopper communities were significantly negatively correlated with the temperature factors and soil pH, but they were significantly positively correlated with the moisture factors. Hierarchical partitioning identified annual mean temperature–daily difference, precipitation in the coldest season, and driest month precipitation as the primary factors explaining variance in grasshopper community diversity in Xizang. These findings provided greater insights into the mechanisms underlying insect community structure, distribution patterns, and diversity in Xizang ecosystems, including implications for the effects of global warming on insect communities.

The quarantine pest, Cylas formicarius, is a key pest of sweet potatoes during both production and storage, posing a major threat to food security in various countries. To investigate behavioral mechanisms, the ultrastructure of the heads of larval and adult stages was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, with an emphasis on the sensilla of the mouthparts and antennae. The results reveal degeneration of the antennae and ocelli in larvae. The larval mouthparts are equipped with three types and six subtypes of sensilla. Both male and female adults have four types and six subtypes of sensilla on their mouthparts. Compared to larvae, the adult mouthparts display a greater diversity of sensilla types and higher numbers of sensilla basicaonica (SB), sensilla chaetica (SC), and sensilla digitiformia (SD). Adult antennae consist of a scape, a pedicel, and eight flagellomeres (F1–F8), with F8 showing sexual dimorphism. Seven types of sensilla, excluding SB and sensilla ligulate (SL), each with two subtypes, were identified on the antennae of adults of both sexes. SC, sensilla furcatea, Böhm bristles, and SL were newly observed in the antennae of C. formicarius adults. Additionally, one type and seven subtypes of sensilla on the adult antennae exhibit distinct sexual dimorphism in terms of structure or number. The relationship between the head structure and adaptability of C. formicarius was examined, and the functions of each sensilla were discussed, providing a theoretical basis for future studies on the behavior of this pest.

Potato common scab, caused by Streptomyces species, is a widespread soil-borne disease that poses a significant threat to potato cultivation globally. In this study, a Bacillus velezensis D7-8 strain was isolated from a potato. This endophytic bacterium exhibited broad-spectrum antifungal activity, and pot trials demonstrated that the D7-8 strain effectively controlled potato common scab with an efficacy of 42.07%. The complete genome sequence of the D7-8 strain was sequenced and subsequently identified as B. velezensis through multiple bioinformatic methods, primarily through structural variation analysis of whole-genome sequences. The machine learning method predicted that the expression profiles of colinear genes among closely related Bacillus species were highly consistent. Metabolite analysis of crude extracts using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Exactive HRMS) revealed that D7-8 produces bioactive compounds, including surfactin and fengycin, both known for their antimicrobial properties. This study elucidates the antagonistic effect of B. velezensis D7-8 against Streptomyces acidiscabies and provides a valuable reference for future research on accurate microbial identification.

Two new species of Dolichurus Latreille, 1809, namely D. albipedigerus Bai & Li, sp. nov. and D. nigrilamellatus Bai & Li, sp. nov. are described from China (Yunnan, Guangdong and Jiangxi Provinces). Dolichurus albipedigerus Bai & Li, sp. nov. is similar to D. apiciornatus Tsuneki, 1977, but differs in having the mandible ivory white medially, the clypeus with a weak median carina, and the body with ivory-white spots. Dolichurus nigrilamellatus Bai & Li, sp. nov. is similar to D. aposanusTsuneki et al., 1992, but differs in having the frons with dense rugae converging toward the midline above the lamella, the sternaulus conspicuous, and the posterior margin of T1-T3 without tiny puncture-rows medially. Additionally, a key to the Chinese species of Dolichurus is provided.

Cylas formicarius (Fabricius, 1798) (Coleoptera: Brentidae), the sweetpotato weevil, is an important quarantine pest in sweetpotato production. Exploring the detoxification enzyme responses of pests under pesticide stress helps to clarify the physiological mechanism of pesticide tolerance. Meanwhile, evaluating sublethal pesticide effects on population life tables is critical for revealing transgenerational ecological risks and guiding sustainable pest management. In this study, we analyzed how abamectin affected detoxification enzyme systems, fecundity, growth, and development of C. formicarius. The sweetpotato root-dipping method was used to assess the 48 h toxicity of abamectin to C. formicarius adults. The adult C. formicarius had LC₁₀ and LC₃₀ values of 0.645 and 1.709 mg/L, respectively. Sublethal abamectin induced significant temporal alterations in CarE, GST, and CYP450 activities in C. formicarius. The three detoxification enzymes exhibited distinct dynamic trends and divergent induction or inhibition responses under LC₁₀ and LC₃₀ stress, showing clear temporal specificity. The oviposition period, adult longevity, and fecundity of the parental generation were significantly reduced by sublethal abamectin. In the F₁ generation, developmental periods of eggs, larvae, and pupae were longer, whereas adult longevity and total lifespan were shorter than those of the control, and fecundity was also markedly decreased. These results demonstrate that changes in detoxification enzyme activities constitute an important physiological response of C. formicarius under abamectin stress. Population life-table analysis further confirmed the transgenerational inhibitory impacts of sublethal abamectin on weevil population performance. Combining physiological enzyme assays with population life-table evaluation helps us comprehensively understand sublethal risks of this insecticide; this work provides a theoretical basis for rational field application and long-term sustainable management of C. formicarius.