This study examined changes in sex life about a year into the COVID-19 pandemic for both partnered and non-partnered individuals and identified the determinants of these changes. The results of an ...online survey (N = 675) reflect a significant decrease in the frequency of intimate and sexual behaviors and declines in sexual desire, quality, intimacy, diversity, and satisfaction. This study also showed that socio-demographic characteristics, psychological factors, and the logistical impacts of the pandemic explain trends in people's sex lives during the pandemic. This study contributes to understanding the long(er)-term nature, scope, and determinants of changes in sex life during the pandemic.
Because life tables are capable of providing the most comprehensive description on the survival, stage differentiation, and the reproduction of animal populations, they can be considered as the bases ...of population ecology and pest management. Researchers concerned with studies involving life tables inevitably face the problem of describing the variabilities that occur in the survival, stage differentiation, and fecundity data. Finding a means to include these variabilities in population projections concerning pest management may be problematic. Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (F.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a pest of many plant species in Asia, including cultivated crops, ornamentals, and wild plants. The raw life history data (survival, stage differentiation, and fecundity) and consumption rate of both sexes of H. vigintioctopunctata reared on Solanum photeinocarpum Nakamura et Odashima (Solanales: Solanaceae) were collected in the laboratory and analyzed based on the age-stage, two-sex life table theory.The intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ ), net reproductive rate (R0), mean generation time (T), and net consumption rate (C0) of H. vigintioctopunctata were 0.1312 d–1, 1.1402 d–1, 603.5 offspring, 48.8 d, and 77.8 cm2, respectively. By using the bootstrap technique with 100,000 samples, we demonstrated that the life tables constructed based on the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of R0 and λ can be used to describe the variabilities found in the survival and fecundity curves and to project the uncertainty of population growth.
Life table parameters and predation rate of the coccinellid predator Harmonia dimidiata F. fed on Aphis gossypii Glover were determined at 25°C using the age‐stage, two‐sex life table. When the total ...number of eggs were included in our calculations, the intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate (λ), net reproductive rate (R₀) and mean generation time (T) for H. dimidiata were 0.1354/day, 1.1450/day, 280.8 offspring and 41.6 day, respectively. These values were significantly different, however, only when viable (=hatchable) H. dimidiata eggs were counted (0.0909/day, 1.0952/day, 67.6 offspring and 46.3 day, respectively). The values obtained using all eggs did not realistically reflect the effect of variable hatch rate and true population parameters of H. dimidiata. We therefore excluded unhatched eggs from our data and demonstrated mathematically that in future demographic studies, it should be a standard procedure to exclude all unhatched eggs when analysing hatch rates that vary with maternal age. A mathematical proof was derived in this study to substantiate this. To observe and quantify variations that occur in the predation rate due to the age and stage of the predator, the daily number of A. gossypii consumed by individual H. dimidiata was analysed using the age‐stage, two‐sex life table. The net predation rate of H. dimidiata on A. gossypii was 14 804 aphids. The transformation rate Qₚ showed that the predator needs to consume an average of 219.1 aphids to produce one viable egg. The finite predation rate of H. dimidiata was 125.7 when only hatchable eggs were included in the analysis. Because the age‐stage, two‐sex life table takes both of the sexes and the variable predation rate occurring among stages into consideration, it becomes possible to use the population projection to quantify and time biological control procedures.
The article demonstrates how the problematic socio-political situation of nonheterosexual communities in Poland and Polish traditionalism significantly impacts how nonheterosexual people develop ...their sexual stories and perceive their sexual practices. It aims to shift the discussion on sex life, primarily conducted in the Anglo-American context that often focuses on the frequency of sexual contact and heteronormative understanding of sexual practices, into a more critical one, attentive to the socio-political context. The article maps queer narratives on sex life and reconstructs the role of heteronormative and homophobic patterns, prejudices, and stereotypes. It demonstrates how public norms and discourses are mirrored, negotiated, and challenged in queer sexual stories. Finally, it shows how these negotiations deeply influence the positionality of nonheterosexual people in Poland and their sexual choices and practices. The article concludes by sharing future paths for research on queer sexual life inspired by geographies of gender and sexualities. The presented analysis draws on 53 individual in-depth narrative interviews and a monthly ethnographic study conducted with 21 nonheterosexual families done within the Families of Choice in Poland research project.
The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a major migratory invasive pest that poses a severe threat to agricultural production and food security in ...China. In this study, we estimated the effects of six cereal crops on the development, survival, and fecundity of FAW using the age‐stage, two‐sex life table: maize (Zea mays L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), sorghum Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, oats (Avena sativa L.), millet (species, authority) (all Poaceae), and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) (Amaranthaceae). In a six‐choice test using detached leaf material, FAW larvae preferentially occurred on maize, followed by sorghum, within 6–24 h, and occurred the least on millet and quinoa. After 24 h, they had consumed the most leaf material from sorghum and maize, and the least from quinoa. In no‐choice tests using detached leaf material, they performed best on maize in terms of development (e.g., short development time), survival (e.g., high larval survival and pupation rate), and fecundity (e.g., high number of oviposition days and number of eggs laid per female), resulting in the highest predicted population growth (e.g., high intrinsic rate of increase and net reproductive rate). Although maize was found to be the most appropriate host plant, FAW was able to complete its life cycle on all six tested cereals. Our findings can help in predicting population dynamics and deepening our understanding of the potential damage incurred by FAW infestation, especially in regions under maize cultivation.
Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a major migratory invasive pest. Here, we estimated the effects of six cereals on the development, survival, and fecundity of FAW using the age‐stage, two‐sex life table. Maize (Zea mays, Poaceae) was the most appropriate host plant in terms of preference and performance. However, FAW could also complete its life cycle on the other five tested cereals. Our findings provide useful information for predicting population dynamics and potential damage in agricultural areas.
Although neonicotinoids are widely used and important insecticide, there are growing concerns about their effect on nontarget insects and other organisms. Moreover, the effects of nitenpyram (NIT), a ...second generation of neonicotinoid insecticides, on Chrysopa pallens are still unclear. Therefore, this study purposed to investigate the acute toxicity of NIT to C. pallens using the spotting method. To examine the potential effects of a sublethal dose of NIT (LD30, 1.85 ng of active ingredient per insect) on C. pallens, we constructed the life tables and analyzed the transcriptome data. The life table results showed that the period of second instar larvae, adult pre‐oviposition period and total pre‐oviposition period were significantly prolonged after exposure to sublethal dose of NIT, but had no significant effects on the other instars, longevity, oviposition days, and fecundity. The population parameters, including the preadult survival rate, gross reproduction rate, net reproductive rate, the intrinsic rate of increase, and finite rate of increase, were not significantly affected, and only the mean generation time was significantly prolonged by NIT. Transcriptome analysis showed that there were 68 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 50 upregulated genes and 18 downregulated genes. Moreover, 13 DEGs related to heat shock protein, nose resistant to fluoxetine protein 6, and prophenoloxidas were upregulated. This study showed the potential effects of sublethal doses of NIT on C. pallens and provided a theoretical reference for the comprehensive application of chemical and biological control in integrated pest management.
The LD30 of nitenpyram (NIT) elongates the developmental period, alters the transcriptome profile, but has no negative effect on the population growth parameters of Chrysopa pallens.
Highlights
The LD30 of nitenpyram (NIT) elongates the developmental period of Chrysopa pallens.
NIT LD30 has no negative effect on the population growth parameters of C. pallens, except for T.
NIT LD30 alters the transcriptome profile of C. pallens.
The influence of host plant on population dynamics of an invasive pest, Tuta absoluta was studied on three economically important solanaceous crops. Experiments were conducted in laboratory ...(29 ± 0.5°C, 75 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 14:10 hr L:D) using tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). Results indicated that intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ) and net reproductive rate (R0) were higher, and mean generation time (T) was the shortest on tomato. Results suggested that T. absoluta developed on all the three plants, and tomato plant was most preferred one. Results suggested that T. absoluta has a potential to become a serious pest on potato and even on eggplant under favourable conditions. We used the life tables of 0.025th and 0.975th percentiles of bootstraps to project the uncertainty of population growth, a new concept.
