Zhenfeng Liao

eLife Assessment The authors provide important insights into a system of insect camouflage where a coating of self-made nanoparticles (brochosomes) reduces the reflection of UV light, leading to lower predation by spiders. Compelling evidence is provided by micro-UV-Vis spectroscopy, electron microscopy, transcriptome and proteome analysis, histology, in vivo predation assays, and gene knockdowns.

Abstract In nature, insects face immense predation pressure, where visual cues play a vital role in predators locating them. To counter this threat, insects employ a variety of nano- and microstructures on their cuticular layer to manipulate and interact with light, enhancing anti-reflective properties and providing camouflage or reducing detectability by predators.

Abstract Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) can be maternally transmitted by female insects to their offspring, however, it is unknown whether male sperm can directly interact with the arbovirus and mediate its paternal transmission. Here we report that an important rice arbovirus is paternally transmitted by the male leafhoppers by hitchhiking with the sperm.