Three new wood-inhabiting fungal species, Cerioporus yunnanensis, Perenniporiopsis sinensis, and Sarcoporia yunnanensis, are proposed based on a combination of the morphological features and molecular evidence. Cerioporus yunnanensis is characterized by the pileate basidiomata having a fawn brown to black pileal surface, a dimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, and the presence of the fusoid cystidioles and cylindrical basidiospores (9–12.5 × 3.5–5 µm). Perenniporiopsis sinensis is distinct from the osseous pileus with verrucose, an orange-yellow to dark reddish-brown pileal surface with a cream margin, a trimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, and the presence of the fusiform cystidioles and ellipsoid basidiospores (9–11 × 5.5–6.5 µm). Sarcoporia yunnanensis is typical of the pileate basidiomata with a salmon to reddish-brown pileal surface, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, and the presence of the ellipsoid basidiospores (4–5.5 × 2.5–4 µm). Sequences of ITS + nLSU + mt-SSU + TEF1 + RPB1 + RPB2 genes were used for the phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. The multiple genes with six loci analysis showed that the three new species nested within the order Polyporales, in which C. yunnanensis and P. sinensis nested into the family Polyporaceae, and S. yunnanensis grouped into the family Sarcoporiaceae.

We explore the intentions of farmers’ pesticide use by using expanded versions of the theory of planned behavior (TPB). We added variables such as farmers’ knowledge about pesticides, moral norms, progressive farming approach, farm size, farming experience, and formal education of the farmers as additional predictors in the original TPB model. We interviewed 390 cotton farmers in Multan and used a hierarchical multiple regression modeling framework to run a series of multiple regression models (based on original and expanded versions of TPB) and found that the expanded TPB models with the addition of, (a) farmers’ knowledge of pesticides (R² change = 0.089, F change_{(2, 384)} = 24.8, p < 0.01), (b) farmers’ progressiveness (R² change = 0.037, F change_{(1, 383)} = 21.5, p < 0.01), and (c) socio-economic variables (R² change = 0.032, F change_{(3, 380)} = 6.4, p < 0.05) statistically significantly improved the explanatory power of the original TPB model. Farmers’ knowledge of pesticides (β = 0.316, t = 6.320, p < 0.01), and progressive farming approach (β = 2.80, t = 5.834, p < 0.01) were the most influential variables determining pesticide use intention. Pesticide use can be optimized through improved extension services, by improving pesticide knowledge and training farmers in new farming practices.

Cotton leafhopper, Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Shiraki), a serious sucking insect pest of cotton and vegetables is present throughout South and Southeast Asia. Genetic differentiation within A. biguttula biguttula populations collected from 16 cotton growing areas of Punjab, Pakistan, was examined by sequencing the barcode region of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene. The dendrogram obtained by neighbour joining analysis of COI sequences confirmed the presence of single species of cotton leafhopper. The overall average pairwise divergence was 0.01. Very little variation was found among populations from cotton growing areas of Punjab, Pakistan and these were most similar to populations from North India. South Indian populations were grouped together and were generally more divergent. Extensive migration of this pest species among cotton-growing areas in the Indian subcontinent may hinder genetic diversification of cotton leafhopper. Four Pakistani samples of cotton leafhopper tested positive for Wolbachia infection but were not clearly differentiated from non-Wolbachia infected samples, suggesting that Wolbachia did not cause reproductive incompatibilities.

Wood-inhabiting fungi are a cosmopolitan fungal group worldwide. Two new wood-inhabiting fungal species, Rhodoantrodia purpurascens and Steccherinum wumengshanense are proposed based on a combination of the morphological features and molecular evidence. Rhodoantrodia purpurascens is characterized by the corky basidiomata with a pale lilac to lavender pore surface, a dimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, and broadly ellipsoid basidiospores. Steccherinum wumengshanense is characterized by the corticoid basidiomata having a white to cream hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with clamp generative hyphae, and ellipsoid basidiospores. Full descriptions, photo plates and phylogenetic analysis results of the new species are provided.