The cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), is one of the important insect pests of cotton throughout the world. Considering the adverse effects of chemical pesticides, it is necessary to find eco-friendly substitute agents for managing insect pests, including H. armigera. Plant-derived insecticides have been introduced as suitable candidates to replace detrimental synthetic chemicals. In this study, the toxicities of water, ethanol, and n-hexane extracts of eucalyptus and thyme, as well as their wettable powder formulations, against H. armigera larvae were investigated. The treated larvae represented different degrees of abnormalities, such as larva-pupa intermediate and pupa-adult stages in their different ages until they turned into pupae and completed the breeding cycle. The results showed that the considered formulations of extract of n-hexane and ethanol, and concentrations had significant effects on the mortality rates of the larvae (P≤0.05) but the interaction of extracts and concentrations was not significant. The mortality rates were enhanced by increasing the tested concentrations. The LC₅₀ values (lethal concentrations to kill 50% of the tested insects) were 343.758% (water), 10.171% and 23.264% (ethanol), and 0.404% and 0.490% (n-hexane) for the eucalyptus and thyme extracts within 24 hours, respectively, indicating higher toxicities of n-hexane extracts. The LC₅₀ values of wettable powder formulations of the thyme and eucalyptus extracts were 120.68% and 177.75% (water) and 36.17% and 74.65% (ethanol), respectively, which represented the greater toxicities of these types of formulations. Therefore, the wettable powder formulations of ethanol and water extracts of thyme were more toxic than their solution formulations. Based on the results of this study, wettable powder formulation of eucalyptus and thyme extracts had promising potential for H. armigera management.

Galleria mellonella (L.) is a worldwide major devastating insect pest of honey bee colonies and causes significant damage in the stored beekeeping industry. Mass rearing of this pest is critical where it considered a valuable and a favorable alternative invertebrate model for studies in biology, behavior, ecology, molecular biology, physiology, and control. For this purpose, newly hatched larvae were reared on five different nutritional diets until reaching the full grown 6^th instar to evaluate their fitness and quality control parameters. The possibility to reduce insect rearing costs were assessed by replacing skimmed milk powder (added for its protein and energy intake) with ground date seed and replace glycerin with Paraffin wax as alternative and cheaper sources. The results indicated that the pupation percentage recorded 98, 96, 94, 100, and 100% for G. mellonella reared on diets D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5, respectively. Also, survival percentage was unaffected significantly by diet type, it was, 94, 94, 90, 98, and 96% respectively. Larvae fed on D4 and D5 diets recorded an equal value of growth rate which recorded 10.1 mg/day approximately, however, the lowest growth rate was (8.8 mg/day) for D1 (standard diet). After irradiation with 150 Gy, the average number of eggs laid by irradiated females crossed with normal males was 1134.4 and 1124.6 eggs/female for D5 and D1, respectively. Additionally, the average number of eggs laid when irradiated males crossed with normal females was 1278 and 1293 eggs/female for D1 and D5; respectively. Our findings suggest that the lowest cost of alternative artificial diets could be used for G. mellonella rearing protocol by replacing the skimmed milk powder and Paraffin wax with the ground date seed and glycerin.

Colaspinella grandis (Frivaldszky, 1880) is a rarely-collected species known only from Türkiye and Bulgaria. Eight specimens of this species were recently collected during faunistic studies carried out in various locations in Türkiye. Based on the specimens obtained, the taxonomic characteristics of the species were redescribed in detail, their genital structures were photographed and their distributions in Türkiye were analyzed.

We present confirmation, with exact locality data, of the presence in Turkey of Acmenychus inermis. The presence in Türkiye of all Acmenyhus Weise, 1905 species has been reported mostly as generically in Anatolia without exact locality data up to now. Thus, the presence in Turkey of Acmenychus inermis (Zoubkoff, 1833) is confirmed with exact locality data for the first time. The Acmenychus species found on wheat plants from Çorum province is one of the three species of this genus found in the western palearctic. We provide both a genus key of the Turkish Hispini tribe and a species key of the genus Acmenychus. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images of the elytra, pronotum, antennae, head, and male genitalia (Aedeagus) of Acmenychus inermis are provided. Detailed pictures of this species are also included in this study.

Pseudopodhomala gabrieli gabrieli Schuster, 1938 is reported as a new record for Pakistan. The study includes a brief description, habitus, male genitalia, and distribution information for the species.

The Nymphalidae family of butterflies represents a captivating mosaic of species, not only captivating in their appearance but also serving as vital indicators of ecosystem health and biodiversity. In this study, we present an updated checklist of the Nymphalidae species inhabiting Uttar Pradesh State, India, encompassing a total of 58 species. Notably, we report four previously unrecorded species in the Uttar Pradesh region: Charaxes bharata C. and R. Felder; Charaxes agrarius Swinhoe; Athyma perius Linnaeus and Athyma inara Westwood. This study illustrates the importance of continued monitoring and conservation efforts to safeguard the rich biodiversity of butterflies in Uttar Pradesh and beyond.

This study examines the efficacy of various artificial diets on the mortality rates of Bemisia tabaci (whiteflies) and evaluates the insecticidal properties of protein extracts from selected tropical plants. Colonies of B. tabaci were maintained in a controlled greenhouse environment and fed with different artificial diets. A bioassay method using vials with two hollow side arms was employed for administering the diets and for infestation with whiteflies. The biotype of B. tabaci was determined using a RAPD PCR test. Three distinct artificial diets were tested, alongside periodic renewals from natural hosts to maintain genetic vigor in the laboratory colony. Bioassays were conducted to assess the effectiveness of these diets and to determine the insecticidal activity of protein extracts from seven tropical plants. The results indicated that while the complex diet without TRIS led to 100% mortality within six days, other diets showed variable mortality rates with no significant difference in mean mortality. Our study found high mortality rates when CHAPS, a common solubilizing agent for membrane proteins, was used in the extraction process, suggesting its toxicity to B. tabaci. Among the tested plant protein extracts, four exhibited over 90% mortality at 72 hours, indicating potential as natural insecticides. The research highlights the need for careful selection of solvents in bioassays and points to the potential of young leaves from tropical plants as sources of anti-whitefly compounds.