insect-toxicology
Insect-toxicology is the study of how toxic compounds affect insect physiology, behavior, and survival. This field is critical for plant science because many plants produce chemical defenses—including alkaloids, terpenoids, and phenolics—to protect against herbivorous insects. Understanding how these plant toxins affect insect populations provides insights into plant-insect coevolution, ecological defense strategies, and the evolutionary pressures that have shaped plant biochemical diversity.
PubMed · 2026-02-17
Microplastics are widespread in insects globally, with freshwater species and flies particularly affected. The review documents how plastics harm insect development, immunity, and behavior, though some beetles can degrade certain polymers. Significant knowledge gaps remain about long-term ecosystem effects and how microplastic contamination spreads through food webs.
Microplastic concentrations in insects range from 0.21 to 500 items per individual, with freshwater taxa showing highest contamination rates dominated by polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene fibers
Diptera and Lepidoptera demonstrate marked sensitivity to microplastics with sublethal effects spanning development, physiology, immunity, behavior, and gut microbiota disruption
Some coleopteran larvae exhibit capacity to fragment and biodegrade specific plastic polymers, indicating potential biodegradation pathways in insect systems despite limited environmental evidence