Browsing by Author "Bhupendra Kumar"

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Age, mating status and sex influence food consumption and utilization efficiency Parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister
(Informatics Publishing Limited, 2019) Bhupendra Kumar
A study was designed to evaluate the combined effects of age, mating status and sex on the feeding attributes of the Parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister when fed on Parthenium hysterophorus L., a serious weed of wastelands, pastures and agricultural fields. Newly emerged adult beetles were placed in two groups. Adults of the first group were kept unmated and their daily feeding and growth attributes were assessed for the following 20 days. By comparison, males and females of the second group were allowed to mate on the 11th day (attainment of sexual maturity) and mating pairs were kept individually to assess their daily feeding and growth attributes for the following 10 days. Results revealed higher consumption and growth rates of Z. bicolorata females than males. In contrast, males exhibited higher food conversion efficiencies than the females. However, food consumption and growth rates of unmated adults were higher than mated adults. Age-based regression graphs revealed decreased consumption rates, conversion efficiencies and growth rates of Z. bicolorata adults with increase in age. However, the mean body biomass of adults increased with increasing age. This further suggested compensatory feeding in Z. bicolorata adults as they age. The present findings may be helpful to mass-multiply Z. bicolorata in laboratories for the biocontrol of Parthenium weed in agricultural farms on the Indian subcontinent. © 2019, Informatics Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
Ageing and mating status affect food utilization efficiencies and assimilation of macronutrients in adults of Parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister
(John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2024) Priyanka Yadav; Priya Patel; Arvind Kumar Patel; Ritabrata Chowdhury; Ankit Upadhyay; Bhupendra Kumar; Dinesh Kumar
Investigations of age-based food conversion and utilization efficiencies in phytophagous insects are very few. Studies examining the effects of age, sex and mating status on biochemical assimilation of macronutrients by phytophagous insects are scarce as well. Hence, we designed the present study to evaluate the combined effect of age, sex and mating status on food consumption and utilization efficiencies, and the assimilation of macronutrients by the Parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), on the invasive weed, Parthenium hysterophorus Linnaeus (Asterales: Asteraceae). We hypothesized that mated adults would consume and utilize more food than unmated adults, that assimilation of nutrients by old adults would be lower than young adults and that females would consume and utilize food more efficiently than males. However, our results revealed that as adults aged, their food consumption and utilization efficiencies decreased, and they assimilated less proteins and glucose in their body. Despite that, their mean body biomass and assimilation of triglycerides increased. While mated adults had higher food utilization efficiencies and increased assimilation of triglycerides and glucose, unmated adults assimilated more proteins. Females had higher food consumption rates and increased assimilation of nutrients, whereas males had higher food conversion efficiencies and growth rates. Furthermore, middle-aged adults had higher food utilization efficiencies and they assimilated more nutrients than young and old adults. Our results therefore suggest compensatory feeding in adults of Z. bicolorata with ageing. We also recommend the release of more numbers of mated middle-aged females to control P. hysterophorus in agro-ecosystems. © 2024 Royal Entomological Society.
Are insects the future vectors of COVID-19?
(Indian Academy of Sciences, 2020) Bhupendra Kumar
Insects are affected by a diverse combination of viruses. Majority of the viruses affecting insects are host-specific and non-pathogenic to humans. While blood-sucking insects do not transmit COVID-19, those feeding on human and animal wastes like houseflies and cockroaches may be capable of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. However, studies monitoring adhesion capacity, permanence and active dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in houseflies and cockroaches are yet to be assessed. Further studies are needed to explore the transmission and pathogenicity mechanism of COVID-19 by different insect vectors. © 2020. All Rights Reserved.
Biotic factors as key determinants for ovarian and oothecal developmental plasticity of a tortoise beetle
(Elsevier GmbH, 2024) Ruchita Shivprakash Tiwari; Lankesh Yashwant Bhaisare; Shivani Pathak; Bhupendra Kumar; Desh Deepak Chaudhary
Ovarian development in r-selected species is a highly dynamic process widely studied in various insect groups. An array of biotic and abiotic factors may influence it. So, the present investigation was to evaluate the impact of a female's age and mating status on the ovarian development, ootheca formation, body colour polymorphism, and fat content of the tortoise beetle, Aspidomorpha miliaris (Fabricius). Females of a certain age and mating status were dissected to demonstrate changes in their ovarioles, lateral oviduct, accessory gland, elytral colour, fat body content, and body size. It was predicted that age or mating status would not affect the ovarian parameters like length and width of ovarioles, lateral oviducts, accessory glands, body size, fat body content, and elytral colour. However, the ootheca-forming modifications would be initiated by ageing and mating. The current study demonstrated the substantial effect of age and mating status on the growth of the accessory glands and ovarioles. On the other hand, fat body contents declined comparatively in multiply-mated females. Besides this, the beetle exhibits elytral colour polymorphism till sexual maturity. An accessory gland was exclusively detected in multiply-mated females. This discovery opens opportunities for further investigation into the precise function of the gland, which is likely involved in the formation of ootheca. © 2024 Elsevier GmbH
Characteristics and host range nodulation of a lysogenic Bradyrhizobium strain of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) isolated from an Indian soil
(Springer Verlag, 2013) Banshi Dhar; Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal; Bhupendra Kumar; Akhouri Vaishampayan
A lysogenic strain (A025) and phage indicator (A039) were identified among the bradyrhizobia of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan). The broth culture of A025 contained a phage (RT2) that showed lytic activity with A039 strain. To confirm their lysogeny (A025), cells were cultured in the presence of 0. 01 M sodium citrate, which only killed free phage particles. The treated cell line was grown without sodium citrate, and the culture filtrate formed plaques with A039 strain, but not with A025 strain. Growth kinetics of A025 strain showed that the number of viable cells and cells harboring phage in the culture increased in a parallel manner. Lytic cycle of RT2 phage on A039 strain revealed a latent period of 3 h, with a multiplication period of 6 h and a burst size of 20 particles per cell. Plaques were homogeneously turbid, having a central hallow surrounded by several bacterial rings. Electron micrograph of phage particles showed that the phage had a hexagonal head and short tail. Restriction endonuclease digestion of phage DNA revealed its size of about 41 kbp. Sequence analysis for 16S-23S rDNA and DnaK regions of both strains were aligned with Bradyrhizobium japonicum. Both strains expressed nitrogenase activity in agar-grown culture and formed effective nodules on C. cajan, Macroptilium atropurpureum, Vigna radiata, Vigna unguiculata, and Vigna mungo plants. This is the first report on lysogeny in Bradyrhizobium of C. cajan having a broad host range of nodulation ability. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.
Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii: The In Vitro Antifungal Susceptibility Pattern in Addition to the Quantification of Phospholipase and Proteinase Enzymatic Activities
(Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, 2023) Munesh K. Gupta; Ragini Tilak; Namrata Pal; Ashish Kumar Singh; Jaya Chakravarty; Bhupendra Kumar
Background: Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis is a life-threatening fungal infection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii and neoformans are the causative agents that usually respond well to fluconazole and amphotericin B. However, resistance/ non-responding cryptococcal meningitis cases to fluconazole and amphotericin B have been reported globally. Methods: The causative Cryptococcus was identified by phenotypic and singleplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the putative sugar transporter (STR1) gene. In addition, the phospholipase and proteinase enzymatic activities of the isolates were determined by the plate method using egg yolk agar and bovine serum albumin agar plates, respectively. Finally, the in-vitro minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of fluconazole, voriconazole, and amphotericin B against isolated C. neoformans strains was determined by the broth microdilution method. Results: A total of 50 C. neoformans strains were isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of HIV-infected patients, which were further identified as variety grubii by simplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All the isolated strains producing phospholipase and proteinase enzymes were determined by the calculation of Pz, a ratio of colony diameter and diameter of colony plus the precipitation zone. A comparative high proteinase enzyme activity was observed, and these strains produced medium to high phospholipase (mean Pz 0.3720 ± 0.082, range 0.23-0.56) and proteinase activity (Mean Pz 0.3069 ± 0.086, range 0.012-0.54). A varied antifungal MIC was detected, and voriconazole had the lowest MIC50 and MIC90 (0.03 & 0.06 µg/mL) in comparison to fluconazole and amphotericin B. Conclusion: Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii is the commonest cause of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis in HIV-infected patients. The isolates had varied extracellular hydrolytic enzyme activities. The emergence of C. neoformans strains with higher fluconazole MIC (≥ 4 mcg/mL) could have resulted in treatment failure. © 2023 The Author(s);.
Do the food availability conditions influence the stage-specific prey choice and predation attributes of agroecosystem-inhabiting spiders?
(Springer, 2022) Abhinav Mishra; Bhupendra Kumar; Neelkamal Rastogi
Present study was designed to assess the predation attributes of the hunting (Oxyopes javanus and Pardosa sumatrana) and web-weaving (Neoscona theisi and Tetragnatha javana) spiders on the wingless and winged stages of the economically important wheat aphid (Sitobion avenae) pests under varying prey quantity conditions. The experiments were carried out in two parts. First part included optimization of the experimental prey conditions (scarce/ optimal/ abundant) per spider species. The second part assessed the consumption rate, conversion efficiency and growth rate of each of the four spider species under fluctuating experimental prey conditions. Results revealed that: (1) irrespective of the spider species, predation attributes (viz. consumption rates, conversion efficiencies and growth rates) were highest on scarce prey and lowest on abundant prey; (2) amongst the four spider species, larger spiders (i.e. N. theisi and O. javanus) had higher prey consumption and utilization efficiencies over the smaller ones (T. javana and P. sumatrana); and (3) all species of spiders utilized higher biomass of wingless as compared to winged morphs under optimal and abundant conditions but displayed no such significant differences in consumption patterns under scarce conditions. The present results therefore reveal that the four studied spider species exhibit compensatory feeding under prey scarce conditions. However, larger species are more efficient in overcoming scarce prey conditions than the smaller species. Since spiders have enormous potential as biological control agents the results would be of significance in the management of wheat aphids. © 2022, International Society for Tropical Ecology.
Effects of SARS-Cov-2 infection and rhino-orbital mucormycosis on concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers in Indian populations
(IP Innovative Publication Pvt. Ltd., 2022) Ajay Kumar Yadav; Shivam Tiwari; Bhupendra Kumar; Abhay Kumar Yadav; Ashish Ashish; Nitish Kumar Singh; Manpreet Kaur; Shivani Mishra; Shani Vishwakarma; Surendra Pratap Mishra; Rajendra Prakash Maurya; Nargis Khanam; Pooja Dubey; Janhavi Yadav; Royana Singh; Sayeed Mehbub Ul Kadir
Rhino-orbital mucormycosis is a rare life threatening invasive fungal infection that has recently shown a very high mortality rate in India during COVID-19 pandemic. We have designed the present study to find out associations between COVID-19 induced rhino-orbital mucormycosis and concentrations of inflammatory markers, i.e. D-dimer, Ferritin, IL-6, CRP and PCT, in blood serum of Indian population. There were four groups in the study, viz. control group with healthy subjects, treatment group-1 with patients suffering from SARS-COV-2 infection, treatment group-2 with patients suffering from both SARS-COV-2 infection and rhino-orbital mucormycosis, and treatment group-3 with patients suffering from rhino-orbital mucormycosis after SARS-COV-2 infection recovery. Inflammatory markers were quantified with standard protocols, and recorded data were subjected to statistical analyses. We found that patients suffering from SARS-COV-2 infection were more susceptible to rhino-orbital mucormycosis, as they had higher concentrations of inflammatory markers in their blood than the other subjects. Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and renal disorders were the associated comorbidities with the patients. We also found higher concentrations of inflammatory markers in males than the females, indicating towards their higher susceptibility in developing rhino-orbital mucormycosis than females. Present study therefore suggests that the frequent occurrence of rhino-orbital mucormycosis in India during second wave of COVID-19 was possibly due to indiscriminate use of corticosteroids by COVID-19 patients. Subjects with previous history of comorbidities like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disorders and renal diseases are the most susceptible population groups for developing infection. Moreover, males are at higher risk of developing mucormycosis than the females. © 2022 Innovative Publication, All rights reserved.
Functional complexity of Parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata (Pallister) under thermal-stress conditions: Insights from Gene Ontology
(Elsevier B.V., 2025) Arvind Kumar Patel; Bhupendra Kumar
We analyzed protein expression profiles in Parthenium beetles exposed to cold (15 °C), optimal (25 °C), and heat (35 °C) temperatures. The beetle is an effective biocontrol agent against the invasive Parthenium weed. We identified 620 proteins under cold stress, 334 proteins at the optimal temperature, and 603 proteins under heat stress, with 181 proteins common to all three temperature conditions. Compared to the 106 proteins expressed at the optimal temperature, 196 proteins were overexpressed under cold stress, while 180 proteins were overexpressed under heat stress. Under cold stress, significant Gene Ontology (GO) terms for molecular functions included pyridoxal phosphate binding, pyrophosphatase activity, and RNA helicase activity. Enriched cellular component terms were trans-Golgi network transport vesicle, endosome, and small ribosomal subunit. Biological processes emphasized small molecule biosynthesis, protein refolding, and carbohydrate metabolism. Under heat stress, significant GO terms for molecular functions involved proton transmembrane transporter activity, poly-A binding, and oxidoreductase activity. Cellular component terms included cytosol, coated vesicle, and nucleosome. Biological processes highlighted regulation of cellular stress response, primary active transmembrane transport, and heterochromatin formation. These findings reveal distinct protein sets and associated functions under thermal stress, providing insights into the beetle's molecular mechanisms of thermal adaptation. The enriched GO terms indicate activation of different molecular pathways in response to cold and heat stress, involving various metabolic, transport, and stress response processes. © 2025 Korean Society of Applied Entomology
Functional response in coccinellid beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is modified by prey-density experience
(Cambridge University Press, 2022) Desh Deepak Chaudhary; Bhupendra Kumar; Geetanjali Mishra; Omkar
In the present study, we assessed functional response curves of two generalist coccinellid beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), specifically Menochilus sexmaculatus and Propylea dissecta, using fluctuating densities of aphid prey as a stimulus. In what may be the first such study, we investigated how the prey density experienced during the early larval development of these two predatory beetle species shaped the functional response curves of the late instar–larval and adult stages. The predators were switched from their rearing prey-density environments of scarce, optimal, or abundant prey to five testing density environments of extremely scarce, scarce, suboptimal, optimal, or abundant prey. The individuals of M. sexmaculatus that were reared on either scarce- and optimal- or abundant-prey densities exhibited type II functional response curves as both larvae and adults. However, individuals of P. dissecta that were reared on scarce- and abundant-prey densities displayed modified type II functional response curves as larvae and type II functional response curves as adults. In contrast, individuals of P. dissecta reared on the optimal-prey density displayed type II functional response curves as larvae and modified type II functional response curves as adults. The fourth-instar larvae and adult females of M. sexmaculatus and P. dissecta also exhibited highest prey consumption (T/T h) and shortest prey-handling time (T h) on the scarce-prey rearing density. Thus, under fluctuating-prey conditions, M. sexmaculatus is a better biological control agent of aphids than P. dissecta is. © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Entomological Society of Canada
Genetic Diversity and Spatiotemporal Distribution of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha Variant in India
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2023) Jahnavi Parasar; Rudra Kumar Pandey; Yashvant Patel; Prajjval Pratap Singh; Anshika Srivastava; Rahul Kumar Mishra; Bhupendra Kumar; Niraj Rai; Vijaya Nath Mishra; Pankaj Shrivastava; P. B. Kavi Kishor; Prashanth Suravajhala; Rakesh Tamang; Ajai Kumar Pathak; Gyaneshwer Chaubey
After the spill to humans, in the evolutionary timeline of SARS-CoV-2, several positively selected variants have emerged. A phylogeographic study on these variants can reveal their spatial and temporal distribution. In December 2020, the alpha variant of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which has been designated as a variant of concern (VOC) by the WHO, was discovered in the south-eastern United Kingdom (UK). Slowly, it expanded across India, with a considerable number of cases, particularly in North India. This study focuses on determining the prevalence and expansion of the Alpha variants in various parts of India mainly by using phylospatial analysis. The genetic diversity estimation has helped us to understand various evolutionary forces that have shaped the spatial distribution of this variant during its peak. Overall, our study paves the way to understanding the evolution and expansion of a virus variant, which may help to mitigate in the case of any future wave. © 2023 by the authors.
Identification of significant differentially expressed miRNA and their targets common in idiopathic Parkinson's diseaseand Parkinson plus syndrome
(Elsevier B.V., 2024) Neha Srivastava; Nishant Kumar Rana; Gyaneshwer Chaubey; Bhupendra Kumar; Abhishek Pathak; Vijaya Nath Mishra
Idiopathic Parkinson's disease is the most prevalent type of Parkinsonism. Its pathogenesis involves oxidative stress, glutamate excitotoxicity, protein aggregation, and neurodegeneration. Parkinson's plus syndrome presents additional progressing symptoms and shows temporary or no evident responses to dopaminergic therapy, whereas idiopathic Parkinson's responds effectively. Currently, there are no widely accepted biomarkers for both types of Parkinsonism. This study aims to identify differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs that target genes associated with neurodegeneration in idiopathic Parkinson's disease and Parkinson's plus syndrome by using micro RNA expression profiling and bioinformatics tools. Combined study results through miRNA expression analysis and network analysis revealed five significant miRNAs (hsa-miR-34, hsa-miR-29, hsa-miR-128, hsa-miR-3175, and hsa-miR-6809) that were found to be common in both conditions. Their selected target genes (SNCA, PAK1, and PRKN) play crucial roles in the Parkinson's disease pathway and neurodegeneration. Thus, this research sheds light on potential therapeutic targets and a common pathway between idiopathic Parkinson's disease and Parkinson's plus syndrome. © 2023
Impact of short- and long-duration thermal stress on antioxidant enzyme activity in Parthenium beetles
(John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2025) Priyanka Yadav; Arvind Kumar Patel; Parinita Singh; Sourabh Verma; Ritabrata Chowdhury; Bhupendra Kumar
Insects encounter variable temperature conditions in their natural habitats. Under non-optimal temperatures, they experience thermal stress and oxidative damage, which are mitigated by antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and lipid peroxidation (LPO). While short-term effects of thermal stress on antioxidant enzyme activities in insects are well understood, the long-term effects are less explored. We investigated both short-term (3 and 6 h) and long-term (24 h) effects of thermal stress on SOD, CAT and LPO activities in the Parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister at cold (15°C), control/optimal (25°C) and hot (35°C) temperatures. Although Z. bicolorata is an effective biocontrol agent for noxious Parthenium weed, no prior study assessed the impact of thermal stress on antioxidant enzyme activities in this beetle. Our results revealed that antioxidant enzymes activities increased above control levels in both larvae and adults when exposed to thermal stress for short durations. Under long-term thermal stress, CAT and LPO activities decreased below control levels, while SOD activity increased. Regardless of temperature conditions, early larval instars exhibited higher enzyme activities compared to later instars. In adults, males showed higher SOD and CAT activities, whereas LPO activity did not differ significantly between sexes. Our findings suggest that short-term thermal stress can stimulate protective enzyme activity in these beetles and help them adapt to suboptimal temperatures. However, prolonged exposure may lead to excessive stimulation, potentially inhibiting protective enzyme activity and causing the beetles to activate alternative pathways to manage thermal stress. Moreover, fourth instars and adult females are the most thermal stress-tolerant stages for Parthenium biocontrol. © 2024 Royal Entomological Society.
Impact of short- and long-duration thermal stress on antioxidant enzyme activity in Parthenium beetles
(John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2024) Priyanka Yadav; Arvind Kumar Patel; Parinita Singh; Sourabh Verma; Ritabrata Chowdhury; Bhupendra Kumar
Insects encounter variable temperature conditions in their natural habitats. Under non-optimal temperatures, they experience thermal stress and oxidative damage, which are mitigated by antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and lipid peroxidation (LPO). While short-term effects of thermal stress on antioxidant enzyme activities in insects are well understood, the long-term effects are less explored. We investigated both short-term (3 and 6 h) and long-term (24 h) effects of thermal stress on SOD, CAT and LPO activities in the Parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister at cold (15°C), control/optimal (25°C) and hot (35°C) temperatures. Although Z. bicolorata is an effective biocontrol agent for noxious Parthenium weed, no prior study assessed the impact of thermal stress on antioxidant enzyme activities in this beetle. Our results revealed that antioxidant enzymes activities increased above control levels in both larvae and adults when exposed to thermal stress for short durations. Under long-term thermal stress, CAT and LPO activities decreased below control levels, while SOD activity increased. Regardless of temperature conditions, early larval instars exhibited higher enzyme activities compared to later instars. In adults, males showed higher SOD and CAT activities, whereas LPO activity did not differ significantly between sexes. Our findings suggest that short-term thermal stress can stimulate protective enzyme activity in these beetles and help them adapt to suboptimal temperatures. However, prolonged exposure may lead to excessive stimulation, potentially inhibiting protective enzyme activity and causing the beetles to activate alternative pathways to manage thermal stress. Moreover, fourth instars and adult females are the most thermal stress-tolerant stages for Parthenium biocontrol. © 2024 Royal Entomological Society.
Insect pest management
(Springer Singapore, 2018) Bhupendra Kumar; Omkar
[No abstract available]
Insects in Environmental Engineering and Ecosystem Services
(Springer Nature, 2022) Bhupendra Kumar; Omkar
Insects are the most abundant and diverse organisms on this earth. They are the environmental engineers, and the major service providers to our ecosystems. Insects provide us four major types of ecosystem services, i.e. provisioning services, regulating services, supporting services, and cultural services. By contributing towards the structure, fertility, and spatial dynamics of soil, insects maintain the biodiversity and food webs. They provide medical and industrial products, and are even consumed as food. In agroecosystems, insects perform functions, like pollination, nutrient and energy cycling, pest suppression, seed dispersal, and decomposition of organic matter, feces, and carrion. In terms of money, the ecosystem services provided by insects have an estimated value of US dollar 57 billion per year in the United States alone, and insect pollination may have an economic value of US dollar 235-577 billion per year worldwide. Despite their wide ecological significance, very little information is available on the functional roles that insects play and the ecosystem services they provide. The absence of detailed information is due to the lack of manipulative controlled experiments for several services provided by insects. Hence, there is an urgent need to address the different insect groups and the ecosystem services they provide so that their diversity may be conserved for our own survival. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2023.
Ladybird Beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)
(CRC Press, 2023) Bhupendra Kumar; Omkar
Insects belonging to family Coccinellidae are commonly known as ladybird beetles. Most of them are predaceous and polyphagous insects. Their prey range is classified as essential, alternative or rejected. Ladybirds feeding on essential prey survive better as larvae and are more fecund as adults. Those feeding on alternative prey can only survive, but they neither grow nor reproduce. Rejected prey species are unpalatable due to their aposematic colouration and presence of certain allelochemicals, and are rejected even after their encounter. Ladybirds accept some prey species, which are non-toxic and inadequate, and worsen their life-history parameters. Such prey species are considered as ‘problematic prey’. Numerous factors may affect the prey preferences of ladybirds, like: (1) prey quality; (2) prey quantity; (3) morphology, mobility and defence of prey; (4) learning ability, memory, morphological characters and previous feeding experience of predator; (5) environmental parameters (temperature and photoperiod); and (6) genetic factors. While ladybirds locate their prey by extensive search, they switch over to intensive search once the feeding of prey is initiated. If no further prey species are captured, the predators gradually change their prey search mode from intensive to extensive search again. During both extensive and intensive searches, ladybirds sense environmental and inner cues that orientate them towards their prey. In addition, both abiotic (temperature, humidity and light intensity) and biotic (prey, other predators and their interactions) factors affect the searching behaviour of ladybirds by modifying their rate of movement. Thus, for the successful biocontrol programmes, all such factors that affect the prey-predator relationships in ladybirds need to be fully explored prior to the selection of ladybirds for mass multiplication in laboratories. © 2023 selection and editorial matter, Omkar; individual chapters, the contributors.
Landscape Heterogeneity and Changing Bioclimatic Parameters Link to Potential Expansion of Gazalina chrysolopha (Lepidoptera; Notodontidae) in Nepal: A Possible Bioagent for Seasonal Hyperacute Panuveitis (SHAPU) in South Asia
(John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2025) Daya Ram Bhusal; Ranju Kharel; Bimal Raj Shrestha; Suraj Baral; Bhawana Pandey; Pratikshya Pathak; Bhupendra Kumar; Pratap Karki; Sagun Narayan Joshi; Ananda Kumar Sharma; Madan Prasad Upadhya
Seasonal hyperacute panuveitis (SHAPU) is an eye disease primarily reported in Nepal, especially in mid-hill regions of central and western parts. Several clinical and entomological studies have identified Gazalina chrysolopha as the possible causative agent for this disease. This study aimed to identify how the landscape structure and bioclimatic factors are shaping its distribution in the Nepal Himalayas. We performed extensive surveys in various regions of Nepal, focusing on previous and current SHAPU-reported sites in the country. We performed extensive observations in all possible habitats across the sites, and records were made with GPS points indicating the presence of adult moths. The surveys were conducted from March to October over two consecutive years: March 2023 to October 2024. We supplied the presence GPS points with freely available bioclimatic, topographic, vegetation, and landscape-related variables to model habitat suitability and to predict both current and future distributions of G. chrysolopha using the Maxent algorithm. Our analysis indicated that landscape heterogeneity combined with bioclimatic parameters is a major determinant of the spatial distribution of this species of moth in Nepal. Our study found that the moth exhibits a higher population presence in the mid-mountains of Nepal. Our model predicted that the eastern part of Nepal has a higher probability of habitat suitability for this species under scenarios of climate and rapid landscape change. The relative importance of different bioclimatic variables and local landscape features, such as forest proportion, forest-urbanization edges, and the presence of specific microhabitats, has been identified as affecting its distribution. Ongoing changes in climate and landscape features are likely to affect the future distribution of this moth species in Nepal. All climate and land cover change scenarios suggest that the suitable habitat for the moth will more than double its current range. © 2025 The Author(s). Ecology and Evolution published by British Ecological Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Life attributes of Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): challenges and future directions
(Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2020) Priya Patel; Daya Ram Bhusal; Bhupendra Kumar; Dinesh Kumar
Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae) is an alien herbaceous weed with a pantropical distribution. The weed adversely affects grazing land productivity, native biodiversity and causes respiratory and dermal allergies in humans. The weed continues to invade new countries, with increases in CO2 set to further enhance this spread. Biological control is among the most cost-effective management strategy for P. hysterophorus, with the leaf-feeding beetle Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) among the most promising candidates. Our review discusses the life cycle and feeding and reproductive behaviours of Z. bicolorata. We emphasise how abiotic factors and biological processes, viz. ageing, rhythmicity, multiple matings and interactions amongst species, influence the fertility and mortality parameters of the beetle. We anticipate that this review will assist in improving the strategies for rapid mass-multiplication of Z. bicolorata in laboratories. In addition, the review will support efforts to develop classical biological control approaches in regions where Parthenium is invasive. © 2019, © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Morphology of Mouthparts and Distribution of Sensilla in Immature Stages and Adults of Parthenium Beetles
(Oxford University Press, 2025) Priyanka Yadav; Arvind Kumar Patel; Desh Deepak Chaudhary; Bhupendra Kumar
The Parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is a notable biocontrol agent against invasive Parthenium weed in Australia, South Africa, and the Indian subcontinent. While larvae consume both inflorescences and leaves, and adults feed exclusively on leaves, no prior study has compared the mouthparts of Z. bicolorata larvae and adults. Present study utilized scanning electron microscopy to investigate the morphology and distribution of sensilla on mouthparts of fourth-instar larvae, pupae, and adults. Our results revealed that fourth-instar larvae had 9-different sensillum types: sensilla chaetica (Sch I-III), sensilla basiconica (Sb I-V), and sensilla digitiformia (Ds) on their mouthparts, whereas pupal sensilla were fewer and less distinct. In adults, 13-different sensillum types were present: sensilla chaetica (Sch I-III) on labrum, labium, mandibles, and maxillae; sensilla basiconica (Sb I-VI) on labium, epipharyx, lacinia, maxillary palps, and labial palps; sensilla digitiformia (Ds) on maxillary palps; and sensilla campaniformia (Sca), and sensilla coeloconica (Sco I-II) on epipharyx. These sensilla likely play vital roles in feeding behavior, sensory perception, and host plant detection. Our findings provide a microscopic morphological foundation for further research on food recognition mechanisms and local adaptations in specialist phytophagous insects. © The Author(s) 2025. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Microscopy Society of America. All rights reserved.