The case for open research in entomology: Reducing harm, refining reproducibility and advancing insect science

Agricultural and Forest Entomology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 26(3), P. 285 - 295

Published: Feb. 13, 2024

Abstract Open research is an increasingly developed and crucial framework for the advancement of science has seen successful adoption across a broad range disciplines. Entomology has, however, been slow to adopt these practices compared many adjacent fields despite ethical practical imperatives do so. The grand challenges facing entomology in 21st century require synthesis evidence at global scales, necessitating open sharing data pace scale incompatible with practices. also plays vital role fostering trust maximizing use outputs, which ethically reducing harms insects. We outline how can enhance entomological contexts. highlight holistic nature full lifecycle through several specific examples practices, be adopted easily by individual entomologists. do, argue that responsibility promoting, integrating encouraging most crucially held publishers, including scholarly societies, have leveraged widespread fields. must advance quickly become leading discipline transition.

Language: Английский

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Behavioural Indicators of Pain and Suffering in Arthropods and Might Pain Bite Back?

Animals, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(16), P. 2602 - 2602

Published: Aug. 12, 2023

Pain in response to tissue damage functions change behaviour so that further is minimised whereas healing and survival are promoted. This paper focuses on the behavioural criteria match function ask if pain likely main taxa of arthropods. There evidence consistent with idea crustaceans, insects and, a lesser extent, spiders. little millipedes, centipedes, scorpions, horseshoe crabs but there have been few investigations these groups. Alternative approaches study explored it suggested studies traumatic mating, agonistic interactions, defensive venoms might provide clues about pain. The evolution high cognitive ability, sensory systems, flexible decision-making discussed as well how influence pain-like states.

Language: Английский

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Noxious stimulation induces self-protective behavior in bumblebees

iScience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(8), P. 110440 - 110440

Published: July 2, 2024

It has been widely stated that insects do not show self-protective behavior toward noxiously-stimulated body parts, but this claim never empirically tested. Here, we tested whether an insect species displays a type of behavior: self-grooming site. We touched bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) on antenna with noxiously heated (65°C) probe and found that, in the first 2 min after stimulus, bees groomed their more than untouched antenna, were unheated or at all did. Our results present evidence display behavior. discuss potential neural mechanisms implications for feel pain.

Language: Английский

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A female sterilization method for use in field-based behavioral studies of the invasive Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis)

Journal of Insect Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 25(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis Motschulsky), a wood borer (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) native to China, has been unintentionally and repeatedly introduced North American European landscapes as stow-away in the packing material commonly used international trade. causes extensive damage mortality multiple deciduous tree species response, countries both America Europe have adopted policies of eradication. Models that integrate patterns dispersal with records infested trees are critical optimizing survey eradication efforts tracking progress. While these tools continue be developed, they limited by availability experimental data. Existing data is restricted observations made beetle’s range China or based on inference invaded landscapes. Direct observation behavior could provide behavioral information, but release gravid females incompatible program efforts. To fill this knowledge gap, there need identify field-portable methods effectively sterilizing mated do not alter ovipositional behavior. Here, we present protocol for cauterizing ovipositor prevent successful oviposition. Results lab trials demonstrate efficacy cauterization inhibiting oviposition without altering egg-laying females. This method enables research inform models infestation risk adding actual perceived exacerbating infestations an program.

Language: Английский

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Measuring Pain in Insects

Animal Behaviour and Welfare Cases, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 29, 2025

Abstract Pain is an aversive subjective experience that consciously experienced as unpleasant. Causing unnecessary pain to animals ethically wrong because intrinsically aversive. Trillions of insects are used, harmed and killed per year, but they excluded from animal welfare legislation have not yet been tested for their capacity pain. Therefore, the evaluation whether can feel a necessity. This case describes potential ways measure in which there currently little or no published research about behaviours might indicate Information © The Author 2025

Language: Английский

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A History of Pain Studies and Changing Attitudes to the Welfare of Crustaceans

Animals, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(3), P. 445 - 445

Published: Feb. 6, 2025

Early discussions about possible pain in crustaceans often comprised speculation and anecdotes. Experiments to investigate took guidance from these early debates, studies on other taxa. Many experiments provided data that are consistent with the idea of pain. However, does not mean has been proved, but they open possibility. With each study is being felt, probability increases, we will probably never have conclusive proof. Some responses appear be nociceptive reflexes; however, at least indicate animal responds stimuli such as tissue damage, heat, acid, alkaline, or electric shock. The said only if cannot explained by reflexes. These encouraged various organisations improve welfare crustaceans, e.g., PETA, Crustacean Compassion, RSPCA, British Veterinary Association, UFAW, HSA. They also formed much evidence included highly influential review sentience for UK government resulted inclusion decapod Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022. This recognises sentient. By contrast, New York Declaration there a possibility sentience. Others argued against crustaceans. Nevertheless, 2022 an impetus groups campaign improved welfare. retailers now require slaughter techniques shrimp/prawn sell, electrical stunning preferred method.

Language: Английский

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Central GABAergic neuromodulation of nocifensive behaviours in bumble bees

iScience, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 28(3), P. 112024 - 112024

Published: Feb. 14, 2025

In mammals, nocifensive behaviors are modulated by neuroactive compounds indicating a complex pain-processing system. This study aimed to assess the role of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in modulating bumble bee Bombus terrestris better understand how pain-like regulated insects. Results showed that oral administration gabapentin (0.24 mg/mL), GABAergic analgesic acting at central level, reduced heat sensitivity, making bees more likely pass through tunnel heated 50°C, and suppressed their behaviors. Gene expression analysis revealed significant increase brain GAD1 response noxious stimulation. These findings indicate GABA plays key insects, similar its suggesting insects may possess mechanisms for pain modulation go beyond simple peripheral responses.

Language: Английский

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A test for basic animal consciousness through distraction by inward-directed attention, and a case study with black widow spiders

Behaviour, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 18

Published: March 13, 2025

Abstract At the most basic level, an individual has consciousness when it subjective experience. And experience is generated by constructing a mental model of its environment and position in it, perceiving navigating world through that internal, brain-generated model. Here we use this rationale to derive prediction behavioural assays test for animals. Animals perceive their internal will sometimes be distracted from current state due attention object mind. We tested with black widow spiders, found evidence they have consciousness. Some spiders were cues prey item on web — not competing cue but inward directed attention, only eventually switched prey. unable manipulate whether would become rule out potential confounds our experimental manipulations. discuss how showcase may useful broad range

Language: Английский

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Review: Exploring correctness, usefulness, and feasibility of potential physiological operational welfare indicators for farmed insects to establish research priorities

animal, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 101501 - 101501

Published: April 1, 2025

While insects are already the largest group of terrestrial food and feed livestock animals in terms absolute number individuals, insect farming industry is expected to continue growing rapidly order meet nutritional demands human population during 21st century. Accordingly, consumers, producers, legislators, industry-adjacent researchers have expressed interest further research assessment farmed welfare. Operational indicators animal welfare those that can be used putatively assess absence true affective state (e.g., valenced/emotional state) commonly for vertebrate species; however, significant behavioral physiological differences between vertebrates means these must examined their correctness, usefulness, feasibility prior use with livestock. The most valuable operational would (1) correctly correspond insect's putative state; (2) provide useful information about what affecting welfare; (3) feasible deployment at a large scale on farms. As there many possible could researched insects, evaluating likely feasibility, usefulness will allow prioritize which investigate first Thus, this review, we explore whether or somatic welfare, including whole-body, immune, neurobiological, respiratory/cardiac indicators, may correct, feasible, assessing We review systems, as well any existing, welfare-relevant data from closely related insects. end by proposing priority list physiological, correctly, usefully, feasibly guide indicator validation priorities scientists.

Language: Английский

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Feeder Insects: The Ethics of Live Feeding in Zoos and Aquariums

Zoo Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 22, 2025

ABSTRACT While there is no consensus about whether insects are sentient, the possibility alone raises an important question for zoos and aquariums. What ethical responsibilities, if any, do aquariums have concerning their feeder insects? There has been very little scholarly discussion of these questions. This not surprising, as scholars largely ignored animals. So, this paper takes up two tasks. First, it surveys main welfare‐focused questions associated with animals generally in particular. The aim here to identify considerations that bear on a full assessment ethics using resource, thereby facilitating future research. Second, interest making practical recommendations face significant moral complexity uncertainty, adopts standard institutional framework—the 3Rs—and considers its implications use insects.

Language: Английский

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