Hepacivirus bovis (BovHepV) has been detected globally since its initial description in 2015, but its transmission routes remain largely unknown. Arthropod-borne or vertical transmission is a common route for several livestock viruses, including Rift Valley fever virus and bluetongue virus. Moreover, many members of the genus Orthoflavivirus (family Flaviviridae) are transmitted by hematophagous arthropods, raising the possibility that hepaciviruses such as BovHepV, which also belongs to the Flaviviridae family, could share similar transmission routes. In this study, we examined possible transmission routes of BovHepV, including the involvement of mosquitoes, hematophagous flies, biting midges, and mites. Arthropods were collected on a dairy farm with documented circulation of BovHepV genotypes 1 and 2 and were subsequently tested for the presence of BovHepV RNA by quantitative real-time PCR. Furthermore, multiple bovine sample types were examined for the presence of BovHepV RNA. To assess local spread, serum samples from cattle on a neighboring farm within flight range of stable flies and mosquitoes were analyzed. Potential vertical transmission was evaluated by testing serum samples from 20 calves and 20 young heifers. None of the analyzed samples tested positive for BovHepV RNA. However, BovHepV was detected in blood samples collected for bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) surveillance one month after the arthropod collection periods in both 2022 and 2023, confirming ongoing virus circulation on the farm. Under the conditions investigated, no evidence was found to support transmission via arthropods or vertical transmission. However, rare transmission events or low-prevalence vector involvement cannot be excluded and warrant further investigation.

Chemical contaminants can disrupt predator-prey dynamics in agroecosystems, particularly through intraguild predation (IGP), a key interaction influencing population structure and dynamics. The objective of this study was to investigate intraguild predation between Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) and Euseius alatus DeLeon (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae), with particular emphasis on how an extraguild food resource (pollen), sublethal exposure to the acaricide abamectin, and their combined effects influence predator feeding behavior, oviposition, and population dynamics. Adult females of both predators were exposed to intraguild prey (eggs and larvae) in the presence or absence of extraguild food (pollen) and abamectin residues. In addition, population-level experiments were conducted to evaluate long-term interaction outcomes. Experimental results revealed that both feeding activity and oviposition of the two predator species were significantly affected by the presence of pesticide residues and the availability of pollen as an extraguild food source. Population dynamics assays indicated that A. largoensis was the dominant species; however, exposure to pesticide residues reduced the longevity of both predator populations.

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the safety of a spray-dried powder from house cricket (Acheta domesticus) as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF is intended as a whole food and for potential use as an ingredient in foods that can be consumed by the general population. The pilot-scale production process has been described in adequate detail. The Panel notes that the production process, as reported by the applicant, involves steps and practices which may have contributed to cross-contamination and batch-to-batch variability of certain microbiological parameters. The reported mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons content in the NF raised safety concerns. Phthalates were also detected in the NF, and due to the limited information provided on materials in contact with the NF, the source of this contamination cannot be determined. The Panel identified major issues related to the microbiological quality of the NF. High variability of total aerobic mesophilic counts and, in some cases, elevated counts of presumptive Bacillus cereus, yeasts and moulds were observed across batches. The Panel cannot conclude on these aspects based on the available evidence. Regarding specifications, the Panel considers that the proposed limits do not adequately capture the variability of the NF and are insufficient to ensure product safety. The Panel considers that consumption of the NF may trigger primary sensitisation to A. domesticus proteins. Allergic reactions may also occur in subjects allergic to crustaceans, mites and molluscs (cross-reactivity). Additionally, allergens from the feed may be present in the NF. The Panel concludes that the safety of the NF under the proposed uses and use levels cannot be established.

Scabies, caused by Sarcoptes scabiei, is a globally prevalent ectoparasitic infestation associated with intense pruritus and secondary bacterial infection, yet the molecular composition of the skin microbiome during active infestation remains poorly characterized. We performed shotgun metagenomic sequencing of 41 skin samples collected from 18 patients at dry and moist anatomical sites before and after scabicidal treatment. In exploratory group-level comparisons, pretreatment moist-site samples had lower alpha diversity and higher bacterial and viral read-based burdens than post-treatment moist-site samples. Pretreatment dry and moist samples did not differ significantly in diversity, and Staphylococcus was the predominant genus. No genus- or species-level taxon or predicted pathway remained statistically significant after Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate correction at a threshold of 0.05. Nominal differences in predicted purine biosynthesis pathways were interpreted as exploratory observations. These findings provide a shotgun metagenomic characterization of the skin microbiome during active scabies and describe exploratory treatment-associated patterns that require confirmation in larger, paired longitudinal studies.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by pruritus and epidermal barrier dysfunction. Tapinarof, a therapeutic aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)-modulating agent, is clinically effective in AD, but its mechanisms in allergen-driven models remain unclear. We evaluated tapinarof in a Dermatophagoides farinae (Df)-induced murine model of AD, focusing on AHR-mediated barrier restoration. AD-like dermatitis was induced in female NC/Nga mice, followed by daily topical tapinarof or betamethasone for four days. Disease severity, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), histopathology, and gene/protein expression were assessed. Tapinarof significantly reduced dermatitis scores and TEWL and, unlike betamethasone, preserved epidermal architecture without suppressing ear swelling. Tapinarof upregulated the AHR-responsive genes Cyp1a1 and Nqo1 and induced Ovol1, an epidermal differentiation-associated transcription factor, with increased CYP1A1, NRF2, NQO1, and OVOL1 protein expression. Tapinarof markedly increased filaggrin (FLG)- and loricrin (LOR)-positive areas in lesional skin compared with vehicle (FLG: 11.3% vs. 3.1%; LOR: 18.9% vs. 3.9%; both p < 0.05), restoring FLG to a level comparable to the no-treatment control, while LOR significantly exceeded it. These findings indicate that tapinarof may restore skin barrier function in allergen-induced AD via AHR-NRF2 and AHR-OVOL1 signaling, supporting its potential as a steroid-sparing topical therapy for long-term AD management.

The date palm mite Oligonychus afrasiaticus is one of the most destructive phytophagous pests in date palm orchards and can cause severe economic losses when not effectively managed. Although chemical acaricides remain the primary control method, their adverse effects on natural enemies, environmental quality, and human health underscore the need to reduce reliance on chemical inputs and develop sustainable biological control strategies, including the use of acarine predators. Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the predatory mite Euseius scutalis as a biocontrol agent against O. afrasiaticus under both laboratory and field conditions. In addition, the biological characteristics of E. scutalis, a key predator of O. afrasiaticus, were examined under controlled laboratory conditions. All experiments were carried out on kidney bean discs in an incubator at 32 ± 1 °C, 50% RH, with 14:10 h L:D. Euseius scutalis completed development, survival, and oviposition on O. afrasiaticus as prey. The average developmental period for males was 5.17 days, and for females, it was 5.64 days; the average adult female longevity was 11.67 days. The average daily and total egg production were 2.81 and 48.90 eggs, respectively. The sex ratio was 0.70 females, and the death rate of immature stages was 0.66%. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was 0.281 females/female/day, the mean generation time (To) was 12.36 days, and the net reproduction rate (Ro) was 14.25 females/female. Experimental releases of the predatory mite E. scutalis were conducted in conventional date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) orchards in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Three predator release rates (200, 400, and 600 individuals per date palm tree) were evaluated on two date palm cultivars, Barhi and Sokary, to assess their effectiveness against O. afrasiaticus. The release rate of 200 individuals/date palm tree did not provide effective control of O. afrasiaticus. When it was released at 400 and 600 individuals per tree, E. scutalis maintained the O. afrasiaticus population below the economic threshold of 4 moving stages per fruit. Hence, it can be recommended, considering these findings, to increase the number of E. scutalis when controlling O. afrasiaticus in heavily infested varieties to acquire date fruits devoid of acaricide residues and dust mites.

Background/Objectives: House dust mites (HDMs) are significant allergens that cause damage to nasal epithelial cells and have a role in the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis. Lactobacillus johnsonii N5 supernatant (N5sup), a probiotic strain, exhibits possible protective properties; nevertheless, the molecular processes involved remain unclear. Methods: RPMI-2650 human nasal epithelial carcinoma cells were subjected to treatment with HDM, N5sup, or a combination of both. Results: The HDM stimulation induced a certain degree of transcriptional alterations. Compared with the control group, a total of 221 differentially expressed genes were identified in HDM-treated cells, which were mainly enriched in the IRE1-XBP1 branch of the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway. Comprehensive investigation demonstrated that HDM increased the NR4A1-IRE1-XBP1 signaling pathway, characterized by elevated expression levels of NR4A1, ERN1 (IRE1), and XBP1. Both qRT-PCR and Western blotting verified that N5sup strongly inhibited the HDM-induced increase in NR4A1, IRE1, and XBP1. Analysis of the protein-protein interaction network further confirmed a central hub comprising NR4A1, IRE1, and XBP1. Conclusions: N5sup supernatant protects RPMI-2650 cells from HDM-induced injury, and this protective effect is associated with the NR4A1-IRE1-XBP1 pathway. These findings suggest that this signaling axis may serve as a potential therapeutic target for probiotic intervention in allergic airway diseases.

Tropilaelaps mercedesae is an emerging parasite of Apis mellifera L. that is expanding beyond its traditional tropical range, yet its ecology in temperate regions remains poorly understood. This study investigated the establishment, seasonal infestation dynamics, morphometric variation, and virus carriage of T. mercedesae populations in three climatically contrasting regions of temperate Eurasia: Sochi and Makhachkala (Russia) and Zhetisay (Kazakhstan). Honey bee colonies were monitored throughout the annual cycle to assess infestation in relation to brood availability and seasonal climatic conditions. Morphometric variation was evaluated using six diagnostic body measurements, and virus carriage was determined by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction for seven major honey bee viruses. Infestation patterns of T. mercedesae differed among regions but consistently followed seasonal brood availability. Morphometric analysis revealed geographic differentiation among mite populations, with canonical discriminant analysis correctly classifying 70.9% of specimens. Four viruses were detected in the mites, with deformed wing virus present in all regions and the greatest virus diversity observed in Makhachkala. Together, these results indicate that T. mercedesae can establish persistent populations across a broader climatic range than previously recognized. They also provide important information for surveillance, risk assessment, and the development of management strategies for this emerging honey bee parasite.

Carboxylesterases (CarEs) are detoxification enzymes that play important roles in xenobiotic metabolism and host adaptation in the polyphagous spider mite Tetranychus truncatus. However, the specific carboxylesterase proteins involved in host plant detoxification in Tetranychus truncatus remain poorly characterized. In this study, we investigated the activities of glutathione S-transferase (GST), carboxylesterase (CarE), and cytochrome P450 (CYP450) in T. truncatus reared on three host plants-common bean, cucumber, and jujube. CarE activity was significantly higher in mites fed on jujube, while CYP450 content increased in mites fed on cucumber. GST activity did not differ significantly among the three host plants, indicating that different hosts induce distinct detoxification responses in T. truncatus. Expression profiling of 24 CarE genes revealed that the carboxylesterase gene TtCarE-4 exhibited the strongest host-specific response, with expression levels 8-fold and 160-fold higher on jujube than on bean and cucumber, respectively, consistent with changes in total CarE enzyme activity. RNAi-mediated silencing of TtCarE-4 reduced its transcript abundance by 32.8%, significantly increased mite mortality, and decreased female fecundity. Off-target analysis indicated that the gene is specifically targeted to T. truncatus and is safe for non-target organisms such as natural enemies. This study provides new insights into the physiological mechanisms of host adaptation in spider mites and identifies the carboxylesterase gene TtCarE-4 as a potential RNAi target for sustainable pest management.

Neoseiulus barkeri is an important predatory mite used for biological control in citrus orchards in China. Systematic studies on the toxicity of commonly used pesticides to predatory mites are rarely reported. In this study, we developed a "four-well volcanic dish" bioassay system to determine the acute contact toxicity of 33 pesticides registered in citrus, and further evaluated the sublethal effects of chlorpyrifos, lambda-cyhalothrin, and chlorfenapyr at LC10 and LC20 on the development and reproduction of N. barkeri. Amitraz was the most toxic compound, with an LC50 of 55.92 mg/L. Chlorpyrifos, chlorfenapyr, lambda-cyhalothrin, glufosinate-ammonium, and beta-cyfluthrin also showed relatively high toxicity, with LC50 values of 100-400 mg/L, whereas many other pesticides were much less toxic, with LC50 values above 1000 mg/L. LC20 exposure to chlorpyrifos, lambda-cyhalothrin, or chlorfenapyr significantly prolonged development, reduced fecundity, and shortened female longevity. LC20 treatments also decreased the net reproductive rate (R0) and intrinsic rate of increase (rm), indicating reduced population growth potential. This study clarified the toxic effects of various pesticides on predatory mites and further elucidated the sublethal effects of three broad-spectrum pesticides on these mites. These findings provide a theoretical basis for coordinating chemical and biological control in citrus IPM programs.