Muhammad Asif Farooq

Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Insecta) are well-known as pretty, delicate insects found on every continent except Antarctica. With approximately 20,000 described species, many more remain undiscovered. However, the industrial revolution’s onset has led to significant human interference, altering ecosystems worldwide. Consequently, butterflies face survival challenges, resulting in a rapid decline in their population and diversity. Human activities continue to degrade the environment, worsening the loss of butterfly species. If left unchecked, future generations may only glimpse these beautiful insects in pictures. Butterfly declines have been rampant in recent decades and have led to concerns regarding the area of interest of scientists and other conservationists. This chapter shows how anthropogenic [human-mediated] pressures, of which the clearance of forests, agricultural exploitation with pesticides and fertilizers, urbanization, and road routes, as well as the impacts of global climatic change, are removing the habitats of butterflies and interposing on their food resources. The present review also evaluates environmental ones such as storm incidents and phenological and seasonal changes in plants, which may undermine butterfly survival and reproduction. These forces tend to act synergistically, and hence the observed decline becomes intense. There is also, in the chapter, a focus on the ecological interactions that are complex and connect butterflies to many other groups of insects, birds, and plants, and point to the idea that the loss of a butterfly population can have echoes throughout these interacting communities. In sum, these considerations light up the dual functions of human activity and ecological changes in the continuous diminishing of butterfly diversity of global ecosystems.

The house fly, Musca domestica, is a major mechanical vector of several pathogens, posing significant public health risks. Due to the hazards associated with indoor use of synthetic insecticides, biopesticides offer an eco-friendly alternative. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) flower bud extract contains bioactive insecticidal compounds; however, a comprehensive study of its sublethal effects on M. domestica, along with the associated molecular responses, was lacking. Ethanol-based clove extracts were characterized using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). This study assessed the lethal and transgenerational effects of clove extract on two generations using age-stage, two-sex life table analysis. Gene expression analysis was conducted on three key stress-responsive genes (CYP12A2, CYP6D2, CYP6A24) and one fecundity-related gene, vitellogenin-I (Vg-I). GC-MS analysis identified eugenol (68.80%), caryophyllene (13.24%), and acetyl eugenol (13.56%) as the major constituents. The lethal concentrations were determined as LC₅ = 0.405%, LC₅ = 1.574%, and LC₅₀ = 4.046%. The LC₅₀ treatment significantly reduced longevity, fecundity, and survival. Mean generation time (T) was significantly shorter in the LC₅₀ group (16.43 days) than in the control (19.89 days). Similarly, key population parameters—intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), and net reproductive rate (R₀)—were reduced. Gene expression studies revealed elevated stress responses and reproductive suppression. The detoxification genes (CYP12A2, CYP6D2, CYP6A24) were upregulated, while the fecundity-related gene Vg-I was downregulated. Molecular docking suggested strong binding affinity of caryophyllene to survival-related proteins. These findings suggest that clove extract significantly affects M. domestica, highlighting the potential of caryophyllene as an insecticidal compound.

The house fly, Musca domestica L., plays a crucial role as a mechanical vector for a variety of pathogens that impact both humans and animals, highlighting the need for effective control measures. Conventional approaches, including sanitation and waste management, exhibit certain constraints, resulting in a dependence on synthetic insecticides that carry potential risks of toxicity and the development of resistance. This research examined the lethal and behavioral effects of Cinnamomum verum (cinnamon) extracts on house flies, employing an age-stage two-sex life table methodology to evaluate life table parameters. The analysis utilizing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) revealed significant phytochemicals present in cinnamon bark, such as cinnamaldehyde and eugenol, which are recognized for their insecticidal and behavioral effects in insects. Acute toxicity assessments demonstrated lethal concentrations (LC₅, LC₂₅, and control) of cinnamon extracts, significantly affecting developmental and reproductive parameters. Interestingly, lower concentrations (LC₅) promoted fecundity and intrinsic growth rates compared to higher concentrations (LC₂₅), suggesting a biphasic response that aligns with the concept of pesticide-induced hormesis. Furthermore, oviposition preference trials confirmed a concentration-dependent deterrent effect of cinnamon extracts, with higher doses significantly reducing egg-laying behavior in gravid females. This research has included traditional GC–MS-based phytochemical screening by incorporating comprehensive biological and molecular assessments, offering a more integrated approach for biopesticide identification. The identification of phytochemicals like cinnamaldehyde and α-muurolene establishes a robust basis for the screening of additional bioactive compounds and exploring novel insecticidal agents.

The melon fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae, is an important insect pest responsible for significant yield losses in vegetables. Conventional control methods, like pesticide applications, have certain limitations, including environmental contamination. This study evaluated the chemosterilant potential of five new insect growth regulators (IGRs)—Pyriproxyfen; Novaluron; Lufenuron; Buprofezin; and Flubendiamide—at concentrations ranging from 50 to 300 ppm in a 5 mL diet against B. cucurbitae. Laboratory trials identified Lufenuron as the most effective IGR, which reduced fecundity by 68.4% and adult emergence by 70.97% at a 300 ppm concentration. Other IGRs, Pyriproxyfen; Novaluron; Buprofezin; and Flubendiamide, also significantly reduced fecundity and adult emergence at higher concentrations. Based on laboratory performance, Lufenuron was selected for field trials using six bait traps per 0.4 hectares. The field trials demonstrated a higher number of B. cucurbitae adult captures in Lufenuron-based bait traps compared to the control and reductions in crop damage, with fruit fly damage decreasing by 7.01% in August and 4.25% in September. This study highlights the potential of chemosterilant baited traps as a promising approach for integrated fruit fly management programs in cucurbitaceous vegetables.

The increase of pesticide residues in food is extremely dangerous for humans. This research aimed to determine the concentrations of left-over pesticides residues on mangoes after they were exposed to pesticide residue mitigation modules (PRMM). Among these, four modules were used as candidate for integrated pest management approaches, while the fifth was traditional and served as a control. Residues of the lambda-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, indoxacarb, imidacloprid, pyriproxyfen, acetamiprid, buprofezin and chlorpyrifos pesticides were assessed from mangoes taken from orchards. The QuEChERS technique was used to extract the residue samples and the GC-MS for their quantification. A significant increase in the percentage of contaminated samples was recorded during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 growing seasons. Samples belonging to PRMM-I showed 16.67 % (2019-2020) and 25.29 % (2020-2021) of contamination over the control. The samples collected during 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 from PRMM-II showed, respectively, 58.13 and 53.13 % of contamination. During 2020-2021, 66.67 and 67.00 % of the samples were contaminated for PRMM-III and PRMM-IV, respectively. Recoveries ranged from 88.37 to 99.02 %, with 1.07 to 3.97 % relative standard deviation, for all samples, in both seasons. PRMM-IV showed a greater contamination than the other modules and the control.

Chemical management of the peach fly, Bactrocera zonata has been compromised due to adverse effects of pesticide residues that not only contaminate environment but also affect non-target organisms including beneficial insects, birds, aquatic life, and soil microorganisms. They can be impacted through direct exposure or by consuming contaminated prey or plants. The present study was designed keeping in view this increasing demand of the consumers to get pesticide residue free fruit and vegetable produce because it reflects the growing consumer concern for food safety and environmental sustainability, motivating the need for alternative pest management strategies. The field experiment was conducted to determine the best slow-release formulation prepared by mixing the following five different types of waxes, including Candelilla wax (CanW), Paraffin wax (PW), Carnauba wax (CarW), Lanolin wax (LW) and Bees wax (BW) with methyl eugenol (ME) (to attract male B. zonata). The selection of the five different types of waxes was likely based on their biodegradability, availability, and potential for slow-release properties. The result revealed that formulations containing SRF-7[LW], SRF-9[CanW], SRF-8[BW], SRF-9[CarW] and SRF-9[PW] exhibited the maximum capture of 42.10 ± 8.14, 43.30 ± 1.76, 34.30 ± 2.96, 35.30 ± 3.18 and 22.70 ± 3.18 male B. zonata per trap per day, respectively. These effective formulations were further evaluated in experiment in which the comparative trapping efficiency of each wax formulation was assessed. The results demonstrated that formulation containing SRF-9[CanW] was expressed maximum capture 13.77 ± 1.26 male B. zonata per trap per day. These formulations were further evaluated in another experiment in which the trapping efficiency was assessed by four different application methods (simple bottle trap, simple bottle trap with water, yellow sticky trap and jute piece with sticky material). The results demonstrated that formulation containing SRF-9[CarW] applied by yellow sticky trap (YST) trapped 61.74 + 7.69 male B. zonata per trap per day and proved more effective. This formulation can be recommended for trapping and management of male population of B. zonata in fruit orchards. This study can influence eco-friendly B. zonata pest control policies, reducing chemical pesticide usage and promoting agricultural sustainability. Future research should study the long-term impact of slow-release formulations on agricultural sustainability, including pest control, crop yield, and agroecosystem health.

Impact of Different Integrated Pest Management Modules on Pest Infestation, Pesticide Residue and Yield in Mango Fruits