1 The ambrosia beetle morphologically identified as Euwallacea fornicatus consists of several cryptic species that exhibit large differences in the DNA sequences of several nuclear and mitochondrial gene regions. 2 Based on these differences, we suggest that there are at least three different species each with distinct phylogeography. 3 Members of this cryptic species complex have invaded many areas outside their native range and cause substantial damage to both agriculture (avocado in particular) and other tree species. 4 Three of these cryptic species have invaded the USA: two species in California and a third species in both Florida and Hawaii. 5 Identification of their native range allows directed search for their natural enemies that may be used in biological control of these tree pests.

Superhydrophobic surfaces are of immense scientific and technological interests for a broad range of applications. However, a major challenge remains in developing scalable methodologies that enable superhydrophobic coatings on versatile substrates with a combination of strong mechanical stability, optical transparency, and even stretchability. Herein, we developed a scalable methodology to versatile hydrophobic surfaces that combine with strong mechanical stability, optical transparency, and stretchability by using a self-assembled hydrogel as the template to in situ generate silica microstructures and subsequent silanization. The superhydrophobic coatings can be enabled on virtually any substrates via large-area deposition techniques like dip coating. Transparent surfaces with optical transmittance as high as 98% were obtained. Moreover, the coatings exhibit superior mechanical flexibility and robustness that it can sustain contact angles ∼ 160° even after 5000 cycles of mechanically stretching at 100% strain. The multifunctional surfaces can be used as screen filters and sponges for the oil/water separation that can selectively absorb oils up to 40× their weight.

The projected potential distributions provide a theoretical basis for quarantine and control strategies for the management of this pest in each country. Furthermore, these results provide substantial guidance for studies of the effects of climate change on other major forest pests. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

1 The Asian longhorned beetle is a destructive trunk borer in forests and urban landscape trees. 2 Dynamic changes in the supercooling capacity of Anoplophora glabripennis larvae in a natural population and the mechanism of cold hardiness during different overwintering periods at physiological and biochemical levels were explored. 3 The results showed that the supercooling point of overwintering larvae decreased initially before increasing subsequently with seasonal changes in ambient temperature. Fresh mass and glycogen tended to decrease initially and then reached their minimum levels in January. Total amounts of low molecular weight substances and free amino acids in the haemolymph increased gradually as the ambient temperature decreased. Glycerol (779.80 ± 29.10 μm/mL) and trehalose (104.35 ± 12.38 μm/mL) concentrations were always higher than those of glucose and mannitol. All low molecular weight substances (besides trehalose) were almost metabolized by early spring. The concentrations of serine, phenylalanine, valine, leucine, proline, glutamic acid and alanine all reached their highest level in the colder winter months. 4 The results of the present study suggest that A. glabripennis larvae accumulate cryoprotectants to improve their supercooling capacity, and enhance cold hardiness by reducing the supercooling point with respect to a decrease in ambient temperature until freezing temperatures appear. Anoplophora glabripennis larvae are a freeze-tolerant insect.

BACKGROUND The coconut hispine beetle Brontispa longissima Gestro (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is one of the most serious pests of the coconut palm, Cocos nucifera L. (Arecales: Arecaceae) and other palms. The invasion of B. longissima causes major economic and ecological losses worldwide. In this study, the impacts of climate change on the risk of spread were evaluated. CLIMEX was used to project its global potential distribution based on historical climate data (1987–2016) and simulated future climate data (2071–2100). RESULTS The distribution of B. longissima included each continent under historical and future climate conditions. However, climate suitability was predicted to decrease in most tropical and subtropical regions under a climate change scenario. Temperature was a more important determinant of the climatic suitability of the pest than relative humidity or precipitation. The availability of host plants (Arecaceae) only had a slight impact on climate suitability in some regions. CONCLUSION The projected potential distribution of B. longissima will help to determine the impacts of climate change and will provide supportive information for the development of management strategies to reduce future economic and ecological losses. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry