Reproduction is a fundamental process in all life forms, including insects, in which offspring are produced from the parent organisms. The offspring combines genetic information from each of its parents and is genetically unique. Insects reproduce through both sexual and asexual reproduction, ensuring rapid population increase. Sexual reproduction involves the use gametes from both male and female insects, whilst asexual reproduction permits solitary creatures to lead to genetically identical progeny. Reproductive ecology deals with the study of how physiological characteristics, behavioral, and environmental elements impact on insect reproduction. The complexity of insect reproduction is focused by important processes known as vitellogenesis, which is required for egg development and transgenerational immunity. The i5k initiative planned to sequence more than 5,000 insect genomes to increase our understanding, yet challenges remain due to genome assembly issues and budgetary limitations. Understanding the reproductive morphology and methods of insects, as well as oviposition-related genes, is critical for effective pest management and biological control measures. Insect reproductive research contributes immensely to evolutionary biology, conservation, and agricultural productivity by understanding life cycles, reproductive behaviors, and pollination roles. Insect neurobiology, microbiome and environmental entomology are three most important study fields that will come up with new insights into basic biological processes as well as anticipated pest management and conservation measures in the face of environmental changes in the coming future.

Growth-Regulating Factors (GRFs) are plant-specific transcription factors that, together with GRF-Interacting Factors (GIFs) and under post-transcriptional control by miR396, coordinate cell proliferation and expansion to define organ size. This GRF–GIF–miR396 regulatory module holds major agronomic importance, shaping leaf architecture, source–sink relationships, nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE), and stress resilience in crops. Upregulation of specific GRF genes has been shown to enhance leaf width, yield potential, and other important agronomic traits. Synthetic GRF–GIF chimeras have revolutionized regeneration and genome editing in multiple crop species, revealing both successes and species-specific limitations. Expanding GRF/GIF gene families and functional analyses across various crops highlight conserved developmental functions with variable outcomes, including improved drought and salinity tolerance through sustained canopy growth. This review, focused on crop systems, integrates current advances in GRF-regulated leaf development, their contributions to abiotic and biotic stress adaptation, and the emerging utility of GRF–GIF chimeras. Finally, it outlines key challenges and future opportunities for leveraging GRFs in designing climate-resilient, high-efficiency crop ideotypes.

The Brown Planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål.) (Hemiptera: Delphinidae), is one of the most destructive pests of rice. Its reproductive and developmental traits are influenced by various environmental and biological factors including endosymbiotic microorganisms. Arsenophonus, a widespread endosymbiotic bacterium of insects, can affect host fitness and metabolic processes. This study investigates the role of Arsenophonus in modulating the developmental and reproductive traits of N. lugens fed on transgenic cry30Fa1 rice (KF30-14) and its parent variety Minghui 86 (MH86). Life table analysis revealed that Arsenophonus infection (Ars⁺) increased the development time and reduced the reproductive capacity of N. lugens, especially those feeding on KF30-14. The first-instar nymphs in MH86 Ars⁺ (infected) exhibited slower development compared to MH86 Ars⁻ (uninfected). Similarly, the third and fourth-instar nymphs in KF30-14 Ars⁺ exhibited prolonged development time compared to KF30-14 Ars⁻. In addition, KF30-14 Ars⁺ females had significantly reduced reproductive capacity, smaller ovarian tubules and lower relative expression levels of reproduction-related genes including Trehalose transporter (Tret), Vitellogenin (Vg) and Cytochrome P450 hydroxylase (cyp314a1), while Juvenile hormone acid methyltransferase (JHAMT) expression was upregulated. RNA sequencing and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed significant enrichment of genes involved in lipid, amino acid, and vitamin metabolisms, with Long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase implicated as a key regulator of lipid metabolism and reproductive fitness. These results highlight the complex interactions between endosymbionts, host plants and pest biology, offering a solid foundation for sustainable approaches to control N. lugens in rice production systems.

The Brown Planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål.) (Hemiptera: Delphinidae), is one of the most destructive pests of rice. Its reproductive and developmental traits are influenced by various environmental and biological factors including endosymbiotic microorganisms. Arsenophonus , a widespread endosymbiotic bacterium of insects, can affect host fitness and metabolic processes. This study investigates the role of Arsenophonus in modulating the developmental and reproductive traits of N. lugens fed on transgenic cry30Fa1 rice (KF30-14) and its parent variety Minghui 86 (MH86). Life table analysis revealed that Arsenophonus infection (Ars⁺) increased the development time and reduced the reproductive capacity of N. lugens, especially those feeding on KF30-14. The first-instar nymphs in MH86 Ars⁺ (infected) exhibited slower development compared to MH86 Ars^- (uninfected). Similarly, the third and fourth-instar nymphs in KF30-14 Ars⁺ exhibited prolonged development time compared to KF30-14 Ars^-. In addition, KF30-14 Ars⁺ females had significantly reduced reproductive capacity, smaller ovarian tubules and lower relative expression levels of reproduction-related genes including Trehalose transporter (Tret), Vitellogenin (Vg) and Cytochrome P450 hydroxylase (cyp314a1), while Juvenile hormone acid methyltransferase (JHAMT) expression was upregulated. RNA sequencing and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed significant enrichment of genes involved in lipid, amino acid, and vitamin metabolisms, with Long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase implicated as a key regulator of lipid metabolism and reproductive fitness. These results highlight the complex interactions between endosymbionts, host plants and pest biology, offering a solid foundation for sustainable approaches to control N. lugens in rice production systems.

Two field experiments were conducted at the Multipurpose Crop Nursery of the University of Education Winneba, Mampong Ashanti campus during from September, 2017 to December, 2018. The study was aimed at determining the organic and inorganic fertilizer effects on the incidence of weevil (Cylas spp.), on the sequential harvesting and vertical distribution of tubers and the, growth and yield of sweet potatoes in the forest-savannah transitional zone of Ghana. Severe weevil infestation was more prevalent on Ogyatanaa than Ogyefo in the minor season; there was a more severe weevil infestation at the second harvest than at the first harvest in the minor season, In the major season there was more severe weevil infestation on tubers at the first harvest than at the second harvest. Ogyatanaa grown at 5 t/ha Chicken Manure produced the highest number of weevil (Cylas spp.), infested tubers at the first harvest. Ogyatanaa grown at 300 kg/ha N.P.K. produced the lowest number of weevils (Cylas spp.), infestations at the first and second harvests. Ogyatanaa grown at 300 kg/ha N.P.K at a depth of 5cm recorded the highest number of (8) weevils infested tubers at the minor season. At a depth of 10 cm, six (6) tubers were found to be infested, while at a depth of 15 cm and 20 cm the number of infested tubers was found to be four (4) and two (2), respectively at the minor and major seasons. Ogyefo grown with 150 kg/ha N.P.K. + and 2.5 t/ha Chicken Manure produced the lowest level of weevil infestation at a depth of 5 cm, only two weevils and at a 10 cm depth, only one weevil was found at the minor and major seasons. At 15cm and 20cm depths no weevils were found. In the minor and major seasons Ogyefo and Ogyatanaa should be grown with 150 kg/ha N.P.K. and 2.5 t/ha Chicken manure and ridging should be done to bury the tubers deep in the soil, to get longer vertical distribution to produce the lowest level of weevil infestation.