Temperature shapes the processes and outcomes of behaviors that occur throughout progression insect arachnid mating interactions reproduction. Here, we highlight how temperature impacts precopulatory activity levels, competition among rivals, communication with potential mates, relative costs benefits mating. We review both prevailing conditions during reproductive temperatures experienced earl...

During the past year, dramatic progress has been achieved in our understanding of Drosophila immune reactions. The completion of the Drosophila genome sequencing project, microarray analysis and the use of genetic screens have led to the identification of several new genes required to combat microbial infection, filling in some important gaps in the understanding of innate immunity. At the same...

Insects are major contributors to our understanding of the interaction between transposable elements (TEs) and their hosts, owing seminal discoveries, as well growing number sequenced insect genomes population genomics functional studies. Insect TE landscapes highly variable both within across orders, although phylogenetic relatedness appears correlate with similarity in content. This correlati...

The innate immune system which helps individuals to combat pathogens comprises a set of genes representing four immune system pathways (Toll, Imd, JNK and JAK/STAT). There is a lack of immune genes in social insects (e.g. honeybees) when compared to Diptera. Potentially, this might be compensated by an advanced system of social immunity (synergistic action of several individuals). The bumble be...

Sociality has evolved in a wide range of animal taxa but infectious diseases spread rapidly in populations of aggregated individuals, potentially negating the advantages of their social interactions. To disengage from the coevolutionary struggle with pathogens, some hosts have evolved various forms of "behavioral immunity"; yet, the effectiveness of such behaviors in controlling epizootics in t...

The potential effect of larval condition on adult immunity in holometabolous insects is rarely considered. We show here that larval food composition can impact adult immunity independent from effects on general condition of the animal. Rather, our data indicate a plastic allocation of resources to immunity in high-protein environments. Specifically, we found that increasing the nutritional yeas...

The introduction of novel biochemical, genetic, molecular and cell biology tools to the study of insect immunity has generated an information explosion in recent years. Due to the biodiversity of insects, complementary model systems have been developed. The conceptual framework built based on these systems is used to discuss our current understanding of mosquito immune responses and their impli...

Understanding the neural principles governing taste perception in species that bear economic importance or serve as research models for other sensory modalities constitutes a strategic goal. Such is case of honey bee (Apis mellifera), which environmentally and socioeconomically important, given its crucial role pollinator agent agricultural landscapes has served traditional model visual olfacto...