Laboratory breeding of Korynetes caeruleus (Coleoptera: Cleridae) for the biological control of Anobium punctatum (Coleoptera: Ptinidae)

Tilo Haustein,Claudia Von Laar,Vera Haustein,Rudy Plarre,Sabine Busweiler

doi:10.14411/eje.2019.038

Abstract

Larvae and adults of Korynetes caeruleus (de Geer 1775) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) were collected from old churches and reared in the laboratory on Anobium punctatum (de Geer 1774) (Coleoptera: Ptinidae). Breeding success of K. caeruleus was low, but basic parameters of this species' developmental cycle were identified. At 21Â°C and 75% relative humidity and a four-month cold period at 4Â°C, the development of K. caeruleus from egg to adult appearance lasted 2 years. The pupal stage may be reached and completed after one and a half years. Feeding on larvae of A. punctatum by larvae of K. caeruleus was observed and consisted of a combination of sucking haemolymph and consuming body parts. The sickle-like mandibles of larvae of K. caeruleus penetrate the cuticle of prey larvae; this is followed by pumping and sucking body movements. Adult beetles of A. punctatum were not attacked by K. caeruleus larvae. Feeding behaviour of adult K. caeruleus was not investigated.

Highlights

Biological control of pests is one cornerstone of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Predators in general can feed on a variety of different prey and are present in different habitats, but K. caeruleus seems to be strongly associated with pests of structures made of wood
From previous studies it is known that larvae of K. caeruleus can best be collected on the surface of wooden objects inside churches from late April to early May and the adults about one to two months later (Haustein & von Laar, 2007; Haustein, 2010)

Summary

Introduction

Several parasitoids and predators of wood boring pest insects are well known (Becker, 1954; Paul et al, 2008), their utilization in biological control to protect structural timbers, wooden furniture or art is still limited and unexploited (Steidle et al, 2007; Schöller, 2010; Schöller & Prozell, 2011; Auer & Kassel, 2014; Biebl & Auer, 2017; Querner, 2017) Major reason for this is the lack of detailed knowledge of their biology, absence of standard procedures for their mass rearing and reliable data on their pest control efficiency (Haustein et al, 2014). This species is mainly a synanthrope (Becker, 1954; Gerstmeier, 1998; Belmain et al, 1999b; Belmain & Ridout, 2000; Franke, 2001; Haustein & von Laar, 2007; Haustein et al, 2007; Noldt, 2007; Mosneagu, 2012; Niehuis, 2013) because it is rarely recorded and if ever in out-door faunistic surveys in Central and Northern Europe only in limited numbers (Alexander, 2004; Nikitsky & Schigel, 2004; Esser & Kielhorn, 2005; Müller et al, 2007; Ostrauskas & Ferenca, 2010; Johansson, 2011; Niehuis, 2013; Finch 2015; Háva & Kovařík, 2015)

Methods

Results

Conclusion