The evolution of insecticide resistance in pests has become a critical challenge restricting the sustainable development of global agriculture. Compared with target-site resistance and metabolic resistance, cuticular penetration resistance is an early-stage resistance strategy adopted by insects to defend against insecticides with contact action. It primarily reduces the efficiency of insecticide penetration through the insect’s outer barrier and its delivery to the target site. On one hand, it decreases the amount of insecticide that penetrates; on the other hand, it prolongs the detoxification time of the insecticide within the body, thereby enhancing the resistance effect. This mechanism often synergizes with other resistance mechanisms. This systematic review summarizes the latest research progress on the cuticle-mediated mechanisms of insecticide resistance in pests. It focuses on the molecular basis underlying the formation of cuticular penetration resistance, the key regulatory networks, and its evolutionary characteristics. Future perspectives are also discussed, aiming to provide new insights for pest resistance management strategies.

The Moroccan locust Dociostaurus maroccanus is one of the most devastating phytophagous pests worldwide. This study focuses on elucidating the current invasion status of D. maroccanus in China and comprehensively analyzes its potential risks from three aspects: habitat characteristics in invaded areas, environmental conditions, and biological traits. In combination with the Biosecurity Law of the People’s Republic of China and current control practices, targeted control strategies and recommendations are proposed. This study aims to provide a theoretical reference and a scientific basis for decision-making in the early warning and effective management of D. maroccanus in China.

To assess the feasibility of farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS), a key enzyme in juvenile hormone biosynthesis, as a target for RNA interference (RNAi)-based control of pest mites, double-stranded RNA targeting FPPS (dsFPPS) was designed using the dsRNAEngineer online platform. The bioactivity of dsFPPS against two agriculturally important pest mites, Tetranychus urticae and Tetranychus evansi, was evaluated with microinjection. The expression levels of FPPS in mites after dsFPPS injection were determined by quantitative real-time PCR, and the safety to non-target organisms, Neoseiulus californicus and Harmonia axyridis, was assessed by feeding and microinjection assays. The results showed that after dsFPPS injection, FPPS transcript levels in T. urticae and T. evansi were significantly reduced by 91.80% and 83.09%, respectively. Deutonymphs of both mite species failed to molt normally and died, with mortality rates of 76.97% and 84.32%, respectively. After feeding on or microinjection dsFPPS, N. californicus and H. axyridis developed normally, indicating no significant effects on these natural enemies. These findings demonstrate that dsFPPS has high lethality against pest mites while being safe for non-target organisms. The FPPS gene can therefore serve as an ideal target for RNAi-based control of pest mites and has potential for development as a novel environmentally friendly acaricide.

To clarify the detoxification metabolism and environmental adaptation mechanisms of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) physiological race CYR34, members of the glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene family were identified based on the their nucleotide sequence and GFF3 annotation files of CYR34. Bioinformatics analyses were conducted on the physicochemical properties of the encoded proteins, chromosomal localization, phylogenetic relationships, and cis-acting elements in the promoter regions. In addition, the temporal expression patterns of GST family genes during urediniospore germination and host infection were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. The results showed that six GST genes (GST1-GST6) were identified in CYR34. The encoded proteins ranged from 187 to 207 amino acids in length, all containing conserved GST domains and being distributed on three chromosomes. A total of 26 types of cis-acting elements were detected in the promoter regions. During urediniospore germination, GST1, GST3, GST4, GST5, and GST6 all reached relatively high expression levels at 24 hours post inoculation (hpi), among which GST5 showed the greatest up-regulation, reaching 9.04-fold that of the control group. During wheat infection by CYR34, GST4 and GST6 generally exhibited an upward expression trend, with GST4 reaching its highest expression level at 48 hpi, 3.14-fold that of the control group. These results indicate that the GST genes in CYR34 may participate in the regulation of environmental adaptation and detoxification metabolism during urediniospore germination and infection.

Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) are widely cultivated worldwide for their high economic and nutritional value. However, fungal diseases constitute a major biotic constraint limiting the development of the blueberry industry. To date, more than 20 fungal diseases have been reported on blueberry, causing substantial economic losses. This review systematically summarizes the pathogen species, geographic distribution, typical symptoms, and damage severity of major fungal diseases affecting blueberry production. The principal diseases discussed include stem blight, canker, root rot, leaf spot, anthracnose, powdery mildew, gray mould, and fruit rot. Previous studies have shown that severe outbreaks of these diseases may result in yield losses ranging from 20% to 85%. Pathogenic fungi associated with blueberry exhibit high diversity, encompassing over 150 species from more than 20 genera, including Diaporthe, Fusarium, Neofusicoccum, Pestalotiopsis, Phytophthora, Colletotrichum, and Alternaria. In addition, the main transmission routes of these pathogens are summarized. Based on current knowledge, integrated disease management strategies are proposed, including cultural practices, chemical control, and biological control. Furthermore, the current shortcomings in research on blueberry fungal diseases are clarified, particularly in aspects of etiology, disease epidemiology, and resistance breeding. Future work should focus on strengthening studies on pathogen biology, epidemic dynamics, breeding of high-yield, high-quality, and disease-resistant cultivars, and promoting green control technologies centered on agricultural and biological measures. Overall, this review provides both strong theoretical support and targeted practical guidance for the healthy development of the blueberry industry in China.

To screen microbial resources for the control of tomato late blight caused by pathogen Phytophthora infestans, strains with strong antagonistic activity were isolated from soil using the plate confrontation method. Their taxonomic status was determined using integrating morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics, combined with the 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis. The antifungal activity, action mechanisms, and control effect of the antagonistic strains were investigated via the mycelial growth inhibition method, spore germination assay, and pot experiment. The results showed that a total of 11 strains exhibited antagonistic activities against P. infestans. Among these antagonistic strains, strain C-21 exhibited the highest mycelial growth inhibition rate of 84.41%, and it was identified as Streptomyces flavogriseus. This strain could produce extracellular enzymes including cellulase, protease and amylase. Its fermentation broth could disrupt the mycelial morphology and cell membrane integrity of P. infestans, and significantly inhibited spore germination and zoospore release, with inhibition rates of 69.31% and 57.94%, respectively. The preventive and curative control effects of strain C-21 against tomato late blight were 43.57% and 59.28%, respectively. These findings indicated that strain C-21 had an excellent control effect on tomato late blight, and exhibited promising biocontrol potential for further development and application.

To elucidate the control effect of the rice metabolite betaine on rice blast and its resistance-inducing mechanism, exogenous betaine sprays at different concentrations and time points were applied to assess the resistance of rice cultivars against rice blast. The optimal concentration and timing for exogenous betaine application were screened. Furthermore, transcriptome sequencing was performed on rice treated with betaine under the optimal application conditions to analyze its resistance induction mechanism. The results showed that exogenous application of betaine effectively reduced the severity of rice blast in the susceptible rice varieties Huangkenuo and Lijiangxintuanheigu. The optimal relative control effect (40.06%) was achieved with a pretreatment of 20 mmol/L betaine applied 24 hours before inoculation with Magnaporthe oryzae. Transcriptome analysis of rice leaves pretreated with betaine indicated that differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway at 0, 24, and 48 hours. This treatment also induced the expression of lignin synthesis-related genes, including OsCCR17, OsCCR14, OsPAL3, OsCOMT15, OsCAD2, and the peroxidase gene OsPOX1. Additionally, lignin content and the activities of peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were significantly increased. These findings suggest that betaine induces the expression of genes involved in lignin synthesis and antioxidant enzymes, promotes lignin accumulation, and enhances antioxidant enzyme activity, thereby improving systemic resistance in rice against rice blast.

To clarify the sensitivity of different physiological races of Puccinia triticina (Pt) in Hebei Province to triadimefon, samples of wheat infected with Pt were collected from nine regions in Hebei Province from 2023 to 2024. Single-spore isolation was employed to isolate Pt strains, test hosts were used to identify the physiological races, and the spore germination inhibition method was adopted to determine the sensitivity of physiological races to triadimefon. The resistance differences of physiological races to triadimefon across different regions in Hebei Province were compared, their sensitivity to this fungicide was monitored, and the cross-resistance of different triazole fungicides was investigated, followed by field validation. The results showed that a total of 193 Pt strains were isolated, and 12 physiological races were identified, with THTT and PHTT being the prevalent races. The EC₅₀ of triadimefon against the tested strains ranged from 5.09 to 51.04 μg/mL, and the sensitivity baseline was established as 8.07 μg/mL. Sensitive strains accounted for 97.41% of the total, with only five resistant strains detected, primarily from Handan City and Shijiazhuang City, which should be designated as key areas for fungicide resistance monitoring. No significant cross-resistance was observed between triadimefon and other fungicides sharing the same mechanism of action, including tebuconazole and hexaconazole. Field efficacy trials were conducted to test six commonly used fungicides, demonstrating that 25% pyraclostrobin suspension concentrate exhibited the best control effect with a long duration, making it the preferred fungicide for control. In contrast, 44% triadimefon suspension concentrate exhibited the poorest control efficacy and is recommended for cautious use.

To identify effective fungicides for the control of gray mold in quinoa Chenopodium quinoa, the inhibitory effects and in vitro toxicity of 12 fungicides against pathogen Botrytis cinerea were determined. Two fungicides with different modes of action were selected for combination, and the optimal volume ratio and formulation of the combined fungicides were determined. The efficacy of the combined fungicides against gray mold in quinoa was comprehensively evaluated through in vitro leaf tests, in vitro pot experiments and field trials. The results showed that pydiflumetofen, azoxystrobin, tebuconazole and pyraclostrobin had significant in vitro toxicity against B.cinerea, with EC₅₀ values of 0.49, 0.39, 0.09 and 0.03 μg/mL, respectively. When the volume ratio of pydiflumetofen to tebuconazole was 4∶6 and 5∶5, it showed a synergistic effect, with toxicity ratios of 1.49 and 1.37, respectively. When the mass ratio of pydiflumetofen and tebuconazole was 9∶2, the synergistic effect was optimal, and the synergistic coefficient was 2.85. After treatment with high and medium concentrations of the combined fungicides, the protective and treatment effect on in vitro leaves were 94.97%-97.18%, and the protective and treatment effect of indoor pot experiments were 71.45%-82.01%. The field control effects of the high and medium concentrations of the compound fungicides were 87.77% and 79.91%, respectively, which were higher than other treatments, and could significantly increase the yield of quinoa. It was indicated that the field recommended concentration of 200 g/L pydiflumetofen suspension concentrate (SC) and 430 g/L tebuconazole SC at a mass ratio of 9∶2 (200 μg/mL pydiflumetofen + 44.4 μg/mL tebuconazole and 160 μg/mL pydiflumetofen + 35.6 μg/mL tebuconazole) could not only effectively control gray mold in quinoa, but also significantly increase quinoa yield.