Evidence for rice tolerance to Tibraca limbativentris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Silicon applications in rice plants alter the stylet probing behaviors of Glyphepomis spinosa (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

The stink bug Glyphepomis spinosa Campos & Grazia (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a potential rice pest in Brazil. This study evaluates the interaction between silicon sources and 3 rice cultivars (BRS Esmeralda, Canela de Ferro, and IRGA 417) and examines how increasing silicon levels affect the stylet probing behavior of G. spinosa. The experiment was set up in a completely randomized design with a 3 × 3 factorial scheme (silicon sources: calcium silicate, potassium silicate, a control, and 3 rice cultivars). Fertilizing rice plants with Si altered the probing behavior of the stink bug G. spinosa. The cultivar interaction by Si source was significant in a few variables. This was evidenced by longer periods without ingestion, prolonged time to the first stylet probe (initial probing), and less time spent in cellular maceration. This result supports the use of electropenetrography as a tool to evaluate resistance inducers in plants.

Simulation analysis and physiological and biochemical evaluation of Sophora flavescens aboveground against aphids using network pharmacology

Pests cause substantial damage to human environments; therefore, studying insecticidal mechanisms is crucial for improving pest control. However, the use of chemical pesticides can cause irreversible secondary damage. In this study, we used network pharmacology to investigate the effect of Sophora flavescens Alt., as a biological pest control agent, on glucose-6-phosphate 1-dehydrogenase, thymidylate synthase, and a translocation protein in aphids. The stability and reliability of target proteins was analyzed using molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations. Enzyme activity assays validated the feasibility of network pharmacology to obtain actionable targets. We used interdisciplinary integration to study pest control and network pharmacology to identify how Sophora flavescens Alt. resists aphid attacks. The results show that the use of network pharmacology can increase the accuracy and specificity of our predictions for the molecules targeted by insecticides. This approach will facilitate improved, environmentally friendly pest control development in the future.