Taxonomy of subfamily Tenebrioninae (Latreille, 1802) and Pimeliinae (Latreille, 1802) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) with new record from Sindh, Pakistan.

Abstract

Background: Darkling beetles widely existed in Pakistan and caused economic damage to the number of agricultural crops. In the processing, manufacturing, distribution, and retail segments, these pests pose a food safety risk for adulterating items produced or stored. Still nothing exists on the said subject; therefore, the present study was planned. This study was conducted to investigate the distribution, diversity, and taxonomic status of two sub-families of Tenebrionidae which has significant impact on crops. Methods: Species of subfamily Tenebrioninae and Pimeliinae were collected from the different parts of lower Sindh with the help of pitfall trap, light trap, and hand-picking methods during 2018 to 2020. The main sources of collection for these species were the soil surface of different farms, under the rocked and mountain areas, the storages area/godown and the soil surface of Jungle area. Result: During the present study 486 specimens of Tenebrionidae were accumulated and sorted out into two subfamilies: Pimeliinae which consisted of Pimelia capito, and Trachyderma phalistinia species and Tenebrioninae which consisted of Uloma Simplex and Alphitobius diaperus species. However, Pimelia capito (Krynicky 1832) and Trachyderma phalistinia (Reiche and Saulcy, 1857) were recorded as new record for the first time from Sindh province. It was also noticed that many of the larger species are flightless and not capable of high flight. i.e., Ulomo simplex. But this behavior is under observation and needs more research on this expect in future.