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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Pain and Suffering in Farmed Animals: First Steps Towards Better Understanding and Management (Musk and Clutton, 2024) - Insects

Published: Feb. 29, 2024

Insects are an incredibly diverse class of largely terrestrial arthropods, with a million named species and many more to be discovered. Trillions individuals farmed for food feed each year, trillions (maybe quadrillions) impacted by other kinds human use management. The question insect pain is open one, without broad scientific or philosophical consensus. Here, I present the history science on main neurobiological behavioral evidence used support reject idea pain. suffering experienced insects during rearing, transport, slaughter reviewed, albeit from somewhat speculative lens (given uncertainty at all, lack validated tools assessing in any insects). Analgesics anesthetics that may work as well attitudes consumer, producer, academic, perspectives. Other arthropods - besides crustaceans briefly before concluding complexity moral caution case.

Language: Английский

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Discussion: Harnessing microbiome-mediated adaptations in insect pollinators to mitigate climate change impact on crop pollination

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 915, P. 170145 - 170145

Published: Jan. 19, 2024

Language: Английский

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The impact of pan trap diameter on sampled bee communities and bycatch weight

Journal of Insect Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 29(1)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Synthetic control methods enable stronger causal inference using participatory science data in cities

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 21, 2025

As urban populations grow, conserving biodiversity within cities is increasingly vital and of global policy interest. However, environments pose unique challenges for understanding drivers change, as fragmented land ownership makes traditional monitoring randomized experiments logistically difficult. While participatory science platforms like iNaturalist offer a promising data source by providing extensive from areas, inferring causality remains challenging due to confounding factors in observational data. To leverage these advances, we framework that combines records with synthetic control methods, quasi-experimental approach. We demonstrate this approach case study assessing the impact Hurricane Ida (2021) on bee Philadelphia, USA. The estimated 9.4% decline abundance two years post-event. In contrast, three conventional ecological analyses—an interrupted time series regression, before-after comparison, (BACI) design—failed detect decline, naively detecting an increase unaccounted temporal trends. Synthetic methods powerful tool estimating citywide responses climate events interventions, enhancing utility ecology.

Language: Английский

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I. The Era Beyond Eisemann et al. (1984): Insect pain in the 21st century

Published: Jan. 23, 2024

Can insects feel pain? In 1984, Eisemann et al. collected the best available evidence on insect neurobiology and behavior to offer a tentative answer: there appeared be little support an adaptive role for pain perception in insects. intervening years, (1984) has had significant influence entomologists’ public’s understanding of pain, having been cited lack hundreds journal news articles, outreach efforts, pedagogical materials, popular press books. As might expected, however, science related progressed substantially last four decades since its publication. Therefore, we revisit claims made demonstrate that many have undermined by subsequent neurobiological behavioural discoveries. Further, briefly review literature new kinds not considered Eisemann. Based presented, conclude it is time move beyond as definitive scientific authority pain. Both academic discussions should begin engaging with more recent literature. We stress cumulative presented herein intended prove, does However, moves us significantly away from Eisemann’s conclusion implausible, instead supporting view deserves serious empirical theoretical attention warrants, even supported some application precautionary principle at this time.

Language: Английский

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Distance models reveal biases associated with passive trapping methods for measuring wild bee abundance

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: May 21, 2024

Introduction There is overwhelming evidence of declines in native bee populations and therefore a need for increased monitoring to track these assist conservation restoration efforts. Bees can be sampled non-lethally through visual surveys (e.g., distance transects) or lethally active hand netting) passive traps that lure insects from afar) methods. These lethal methods suffer imperfect detection difficult account confound inferences about habitat characteristics. Additionally, suggests sampling even invert quality patterns such high-quality sites yield fewer individuals low-quality more individuals. Methods To study potential biases associated with detection, we used hierarchical density estimation estimate bees within 40 young forest patches across Pennsylvania, USA. We surveyed communities using blue-vane bowls every two weeks between May September 2019. collected data on blooming flowers, vegetation structure, weather during times survey. Results found densities estimated transects had positive relationship floral resource availability. In contrast, abundance measured via no relationship, sometimes negative trends quality, including Raw counts 2-m the transect always correlated modeled densities, showing some do not share attractive traps. Discussion Our demonstrates failing impact interpretation pollinator adds growing body literature acknowledges value like better understand species’ needs monitor conservation.

Language: Английский

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Bee monitoring by community scientists: comparing a collections-based program with iNaturalist

Annals of the Entomological Society of America, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 117(4), P. 220 - 233

Published: July 1, 2024

Abstract Bee monitoring, or widespread efforts to document bee community biodiversity, can involve data collection using lethal (specimen collections) non-lethal methods (observations, photographs). Additionally, be collected by professional scientists volunteer participants from the general public. Collection-based presumably produce more reliable with fewer biases against certain taxa, while photography-based approaches, such as public natural history platforms like iNaturalist, people and cover a broader geographic area. Few have been made quantify pros cons of these different approaches. We established science monitoring program assess biodiversity across state Pennsylvania (USA) specimen collections nets, blue vane traps, bowl traps. recruited 26 participants, mostly Master Gardeners, sample bees after receiving extensive training on topics methods. The specimens they were identified species, stored in museum collections, added databases. Then, we compared results our research-grade observations iNaturalist during same time period (2021 2022). At county levels, found documented over twice much novel baseline (state records) than iNaturalist. showed strong toward large-bodied non-native species. This study demonstrates value highly trained for collections-based research that aims patterns space time.

Language: Английский

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Nasturtium leaf compounds, diphenyl disulfide and lyral, against Atta sexdens (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and their symbiotic fungi

Journal of Economic Entomology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 117(5), P. 1703 - 1711

Published: June 22, 2024

Abstract Social insect pests, particularly leaf-cutting ants, present a considerable challenge in terms of control. Leaf-cutting ants are significant agricultural, forestry, and pasture understanding their behavior defense mechanisms is essential for managing colonies effectively. While toxic ant baits primary control method, the limited availability effective insecticides concerns over hazardous nature has spurred search alternative solutions, natural compounds, which aligns with goals forest certification groups. In light previous evidence demonstrating efficacy nasturtium leaves (Tropaeolum majus L. (Brassicales: Tropaeolaceae)) suppressing colonies, this study investigates 2 active components leaf extracts: diphenyl disulfide lyral. We tested impact on Atta sexdens (L.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), most prevalent leaf-cutter species Brazil, symbiotic fungus, Leucoagaricus gongylophorus (Möller) Singer (Agaricales: Agaricaceae). conducted experiments increasing concentrations lyral, assessing effects fungus forager workers gardeners A. colonies. Our findings revealed no fungicidal activity, mortality was minimal both topical ingestion bioassays exception topically exposed to sulfide. Furthermore, compounds did not affect ingestion, but increase interactions among foragers. These results suggest that neither nor lyral contributors suppression by leaves. However, they may enhance formicidal activity other

Language: Английский

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Identifying trends in reporting on the ethical treatment of insects in research

Published: Sept. 2, 2024

Transparent reporting on the ethical treatment of research animals (e.g., implementation 3Rs, replace, reduce, and refine) is recommended when publishing in peer-reviewed literature. This meant to foster public trust, safeguard animal welfare, generate reproducible science. However, entomologists are not expected engage such reporting, as their subject legislated review. Recently, however, have reported increased concern about insects research, associated reproducibility trust issues. To what degree these increasing concerns reflected changes practices? We surveyed 15 high-impact journals that publish over 20 years collect data related including reduction methods, analgesics/anesthesia statements, information regarding sacrifice. Out 1359 sampled papers, no studies any methods reduce use. Over years, we found an increase proportion papers insect death a decrease significant invasive handling. 84% with handling or did report use anesthetics. also animal-treatment-specific ethics statements (from 0% 8%), largely driven by journal Animal Behaviour. end 1) making recommendations for looking improve practices 2) providing tools transparent research.

Language: Английский

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