Adult Beetles Research Articles

Physiological Measurements and Transcriptomics Reveal the Fitness Costs of Monochamus saltuarius to Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

The pine wood nematode (PWN) uses several Monochamus species as vehicles, through a temporary hitchhiking process known as phoresy, enabling it to access new host plant resources. Monochamus saltuarius acts as a new and major vector of the PWN in Northeastern China, showing lower PWN carrying capacity and a shorter transmission cycle compared to established vectors. The apparently altered symbiotic relationship offers an interesting area for researching the costs and adaptions involved in nematode–beetle, a specialized phoresy. We analyzed the response and fitness costs of M. saltuarius through physiological measurements and transcriptomics. The PWN exerted adverse repercussions on the growth and development of M. saltuarius. The PWN accelerated larval development into pupae, while beetle adults carrying the PWN exhibited an elevated abnormality rate and mortality, and reduced starvation resistance. During the pupal stage, the expression of growth-related genes, including ecdysone-inducible genes (E74EA), cuticle proteins, and chitin genes (CHTs), markedly increased. Meanwhile, the induced immune response, mainly by the IMD and Toll signaling pathways, could be a contributing factor to adult abnormality and mortality. Adult gonads and trachea exhibited enrichment in pathways related to fatty acid elongation, biosynthesis, and metabolism. FASN, ELOVL, and SCD possibly contributed to resistance against PWN. Our research indicated that phoretic interactions between vector beetles and PWN vary throughout the vector’s lifespan, particularly before and after entry into the trachea. This study highlighted the fitness costs of immunity and metabolism on the vector beetle, indicating the adaptation mechanisms and evolutionary trade-offs to PWN.

Monitoring strategies during the establishment phase of Aethina tumida on Oahu, Hawaii

AbstractThe small hive beetle Aethina tumida (SHB) Murray,1867, is an invasive bee pest that is expanding its range across Latin America, parts of Australia and the Philippines, and is now established in two regions in Italy. However, despite multiple recent introductions, there is scant information about the dynamics of the initial stages of colonization of the SHB and this knowledge gap could impact management and quarantine strategies decisions for many countries. This note describes the monitoring strategies and the patterns of SHB establishment in a previously SHB‐free apiary on the island of Oahu, Hawaii in 2010–2011. The weekly hive inspections, conducted over a ten‐month period, showed that beetle prevalence increased slowly at the apiary level, and adult beetles were more commonly found (87.9%) inside the oil traps that were placed inside the hives between the outermost frames of the hive. There were relatively few “free roaming” beetles detected at this point and they were more often found on the side frames and underneath the cover of the hive, not on the floor of the hive. The results also suggest that in the early stages of colonization careful visual inspections of the frames of each colony had relatively low detection success when compared to oil traps. Our results support previous modelling studies that suggest the need to inspect a high proportion of colonies per apiary (>80%) to ensure a 5% detection rate during the initial stages of invasion.

Potential yield losses caused by the adults of Schizonycha ruficollis on pomegranate (Punica granatum) flowers

Pomegranate is an important fruit crop that is capturing international attention for its rich antioxidants and nutraceutical value. The demand for the fruit is rapidly increasing in major national and international markets. Therefore, any serious pest is of great importance and here we report the severe incidence of adult beetles of Schizonycha ruficollis that resulted in potential yield loss due to its feeding on pomegranate flowers in Devanahalli, Karnataka. Usually June/July adult beetle emerge and feed on hosts like neem and Melia rubra which the farmers plant them as wind breaks along the borders. These attract the beetles into pomegranate field and the pomegranate flowers are then infested by the adult beetles. The pomegranate on an average possess 223 female flowers per tree, which when damaged fails to set fruits causing economic loss. A documentation study during 2023 was taken up to evaluate the crop loss caused by S. ruficollis in pomegranate resulted in potential seven percent yield loss accounting to ₹ 53215/acre at the farm gate price. This loss can be avoided by initiating a management practice at the first site of the beetles especially after the first monsoon rain. This study also helped us to alert pomegranate exporters and extension officials about the need of preventive measures to avoid the yield loss.

Assessment of Boll Weevil Susceptibility to Isocycloseram and Ethiprole and Differential Toxicity to Natural Enemies.

Insecticides efficient against the target species while conserving natural enemies in the agroecosystem are required for IPM. With the imminent discontinuation of fipronil, a broad-spectrum insecticide, ethiprole, which belongs to the same group as phenylpyrazole (2B), and isocycloseram, a novel isoxazoline insecticide with distinct mode of action (30), provide options for controlling boll weevil. The susceptibility of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis (Boh.), and two natural enemies [Eriopis connexa (Germar) and Bracon vulgaris Ashmead] to these insecticides were studied. Furthermore, the survival and biological traits of the lady beetle, E. connexa, exposed to fipronil, isocycloseram, and ethiprole were assessed. The LC50s values for fipronil, ethiprole, and isocycloseram for A. grandis grandis were 2.71, 0.32, and 0.025mg a.i./L, respectively; 0.86, > 200, and 3.21mg a.i./L for E. connexa; and 2.31, 592.94, and 0.18mg a.i./L for B. vulgaris, respectively. The recommended rates of ethiprole did not cause mortality in adult lady beetles, although fipronil and isocycloseram were highly toxic. Lady beetle larvae and adults survived more than 80% when exposed to dried residues of ethiprole, but less than 10% when exposed to fipronil and isocycloseram. Lady beetle larvae development, reproduction, and predation rates of adults were similar between ethiprole and the control group. Although fipronil and ethiprole belong to the same insecticide group, the difference in toxicity to boll weevils and natural enemies is presented and discussed. Ethiprole was more toxic to boll weevils than to its parasitoid and lady beetle, and isocycloseram was highly toxic to all three species.

Defenses of whirligig beetles against native and invasive frogs.

Many native insects have evolved defenses against native predators. However, their defenses may not protect them from non-native predators due to a limited shared history. The American bullfrog, Aquarana catesbeiana (Anura: Ranidae), which has been intentionally introduced to many countries, is believed to impact native aquatic animals through direct predation. Adults of whirligig beetles (Coleoptera: Gyrinidae), known for swimming and foraging on the water surface of ponds and streams, reportedly possess chemical defenses against aquatic predators, such as fish. Although whirligig beetles potentially encounter both bullfrogs and other frogs in ponds and lakes, the effectiveness of their defenses against frogs has been rarely studied. To assess whether whirligig beetles can defend against native and non-native frogs, we observed the behavioral responses of the native pond frog, Pelophylax nigromaculatus (Anura: Ranidae), and the invasive non-native bullfrog, A. catesbeiana, to native whirligig beetles, Gyrinus japonicus and Dineutus orientalis, in Japan. Adults of whirligig beetles were provided to frogs under laboratory conditions. Forty percent of G. japonicus and D.orientalis were rejected by P. nigromaculatus, while all whirligig beetles were easily consumed by A. catesbeiana. Chemical and other secondary defenses of G. japonicus and D. orientalis were effective for some individuals of P. nigromaculatus but not for any individuals of A. catesbeiana. These results suggest that native whirligig beetles suffer predation by invasive non-native bullfrogs in local ponds and lakes in Japan.

Evaluation of Spring-type and Winter-type Brassica napus Germplasm for Genetic Diversity in Response to Flea Beetle Herbivory in Typical and Atypical Planting Windows

Current practices of flea beetle [Phyllotreta spp.] control in Brassica napus L. rely heavily on seed treatments and due to growing concerns regarding the safety of such treatments on non-target and beneficial insect populations, genetic resistance would be beneficial for a more balanced integrated pest management strategy. However, none of the registered B. napus. canola varieties exhibit measurable resistance to flea beetle injury. To this end, an evaluation of 14 winter-type B. napus breeding lines and 15 spring-type B. napus breeding lines for resistance to flea beetle feedings was conducted, as it was found that at least one line in each family exhibited noticeably reduced flea beetle damage compared to sister lines in a breeding nursery. The study revealed natural genetic variation within B. napus for flea beetle antixenosis which could be used by dedicated breeders to develop canola varieties with higher levels of flea beetle resistance. Data indicated that host plant resistance did not vary between feeding by newly emerged adult flea beetles in the fall and the overwintered adults in the spring in either winter-type or spring-type canola, as well as for adult feeding preferences. This indicates that favourable genes identified in in either habitat-type could be used interchangeably to confer resistance even though the flea beetle life cycle is different for each planting period, while either overwintered adults or newly emerged adults can be used to evaluate feeding damage.

Impact of Aphis pomi-tending Formica rufa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on biological parameters of Hippodamia variegata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).

One of the key reasons for the poor performance of natural enemies of honeydew-producing insect pests is mutualism between ants and some aphid species. The findings demonstrated that red wood ant, Formica rufa Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) had a deleterious impact on different biological parameters of the lady beetle, Hippodamia variegata Goeze (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). H. variegata laid far fewer eggs in ant-tended aphid colonies, laying nearly 2.5 times more eggs in ant absence. Ants antennated and bit the lady beetle eggs, resulting in significantly low egg hatching of 66 per cent over 85 per cent in ant absent treatments. The presence of ants significantly reduced the development of all larval instars. The highest reduction was found in the fourth larval instar (31.33% reduction), and the lowest in the first larval instar (20% reduction). Later larval instars were more aggressively attacked by ants than earlier instars. The first and second larval instars stopped their feeding and movement in response to ant aggression. The third and fourth larval instars modified their mobility, resulting in increased ant aggression towards them. Adult lady beetles were shown to be more vulnerable to ant attacks than larvae. However, H. variegata adults demonstrated counterattacks in the form of diverse defensive reaction behaviours in response to F. rufa aggression.

The phylogeny of ceutorhynchine weevils (Ceutorhynchinae, Curculionidae): Mitogenome data improve the resolution of tribal relationships

AbstractCeutorhynchinae Gistel are a diverse weevil subfamily of almost worldwide distribution and considerable economic importance. Nevertheless, the classification of Ceutorhynchinae and their phylogenetic relationships are not yet fully resolved. Here, we sequenced the mitogenomes of 54 ceutorhynchine species. Phylogenetic analyses by maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference were performed on a dataset of 13 protein‐coding and two ribosomal genes. All analyses recovered three well supported clades A–C. A principal component analysis shows that codon usage differs considerably between these clades, indicating a compositional asymmetry in ceutorhynchine mitogenomes. This increased the challenge of resolving the early relationships among the three clades. The resolution of the later diversification was more robust, and the resulting topologies were largely compatible with each other and with the current taxonomic classification. Exceptions are the genera Micrelus Thomson, which is transferred from the tribe Ceutorhynchini to Egriini Pajni and Kohli (new position) and Amalus Schoenherr, which is transferred to Phytobiini Gistel (new position). Amalini Wagner 1936 is a junior synonym of Phytobiini Gistel 1848 (syn. n.). Coeliodini Lacordaire (new status), a tribe previously regarded as junior synonym of Ceutorhynchini, is re‐established. Our analyses also clarified the difficult assignments of taxa to the tribes Scleropterini Schultze and Phytobiini. All taxa with the ability to jump as adult beetles belong to clade B, which comprises the tribes Cnemogonini Colonnelli, Hypurini Schultze, Mecysmoderini Wagner and Phytobiini. With dense taxon sampling and appropriate analytical methods, mitogenome data provide a phylogeny well suited to improve the traditional classification of this neglected and species‐rich taxon.

Dine‐in or take‐away? Scavenging strategies in predaceous diving beetles at different water depths

AbstractPredaceous diving beetle adults scavenge for carrion in freshwater habitats. We identified two scavenging strategies used by adult Dytiscus sinensis Feng (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) to locate and consume food at the bottom of water when needing to surface for air store renewal: dine‐in then relocate the food (dine‐in strategy) and carry the food to the surface (take‐away strategy). In 5‐cm‐deep water, a higher proportion of individuals successfully located food within an 8‐min test window than in 25‐cm‐deep water. Their latencies to locating food did not differ among depths. Dytiscus sinensis adults preferred the take‐away strategy in 5‐cm‐deep water and a higher proportion of them adopted the dine‐in strategy in 25‐cm‐deep water. Further, a 10‐cm‐deep test showed that the success rate or efficiency of relocating food did not increase with the experience of locating it the first time. This might explain why D. sinensis preferred the take‐away strategy in shallower water, in which it had lower risks of losing the food. The present study revealed a direct bottom‐up benefit for dytiscids foraging in shallower water where finding and securing food were easier. Our findings demonstrate that the surfacing requirement of dytiscid adults was reflected in foraging strategies with depth‐dependent preferences.

First Report of Stem Borer (Xylotrechus smei) Occurrence on Red Sanders Plantations of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, India

This communication presents the first documented case of the stem borer Xylotrechus smei (Cerambycidae: Coleoptera) infesting red sanders in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, India. The pest was detected in red sanders plantations located in Dharmapuri and Tenkasi districts of Tamil Nadu, as well as in Surat, Navsari, and Tapi districts of Gujarat, India, during August 2023. In both regions, young red sanders trees aged between 2 to 16 years were affected, with incidence levels varying from 2.24% to 10.86% in the affected plantations. Signs of infestation include the presence of galleries, bore holes in cut stems, complete drying, and mortality of the trees. Initially, larvae feed on the bark, and as they mature, they tunnel through the cambium and wood, impeding nutrient flow and leading to tree mortality. The larvae's deep tunneling within the wood makes them difficult to eradicate with pesticides. Adult beetles typically emerge in peak numbers during April to May and November to December, coinciding with their mating period and selection of host plants for egg-laying. This report aims to outline the damage caused by the stem borer in red sanders and document ongoing monitoring efforts to support interim management strategies.

Pollination of thermogenic inflorescence of Pandanus odorifer by a specialist Amystrops sap beetle that reproduces on the male inflorescence

Abstract Pandanus is a morphologically unique plant group of the Paleotropical flora, with approximately 450 known species occupying diverse habitats. Because the male inflorescences of this genus are pendent and nectarless, they are commonly assumed to be wind-pollinated; however, their floral scent coupled with the observation that female inflorescences mature while still covered by bracts suggest the possibility of an alternative pollination mechanism. We studied the pollination system of Pandanus odorifer in subtropical Japan. A peroxidase assay was conducted to determine the timing of stigma receptivity, which showed that the stigmas were sensitive to peroxidase while the female inflorescences were covered by bracts. We found numerous pollen-bearing adult beetles of the genus Amystrops on both male and female inflorescences. Nitidulid larvae were also found on male inflorescences, and the larvae became adults of the same Amystrops species as found on the inflorescences by feeding only on Pandanus pollen. Last, floral temperature was monitored to test for floral thermogenesis. Both male and female inflorescences were thermogenic at night when insect visitation occurred. This study provides the first examples of insect pollination and floral thermogenesis in Pandanaceae. Most known Amystrops species are associated with Pandanus inflorescences, suggesting a widespread, specialized Pandanus–Amystrops association.

EVALUATION OF HERMETIC STORAGE BAGS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PULSE BEETLE, Callosobruchus maculatus (FAB.) IN CHICKPEA

Studies on management of pulse bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.) on stored chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) through hermetic storage was carried out in the laboratory of Department of Entomology, Agricultural College, Bapatla during 2021-22.Three hermetic storage bags viz., super bag, polythene bag and triple layer plastic bag were evaluated along with conventional storage bags against pulse beetle damage and seed quality parameters of stored chickpea for six months storage period. Chickpea grains stored in super bags recorded zero number of adult beetles of C. maculatus, zero grain damage, no moisture change, and above 90 percent viability of chickpea grains upto six months storage period followed by triple layer plastic bags and found to be the most effective when compared to other types of bags tested.

Studying the effect of the pesticides Tondexir and Emamectin benzoate on some biological aspects of the southern cowpea beetle Callosobruchus maculatus

The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Tondexir and Emamectin benzoate pesticides on the southern cowpea beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus.  Experiments were conducted using three different concentrations (1, 1.5, 2) ml/1 liter (distilled water) of Tondexir and Emamectin benzoate on 10 selected insects (5 males, 5 females) placed on 10 grams of treated cowpea seeds. The results showed that Tondexir effectively eliminated C. maculatus, achieving a 100% mortality rate after 5 days at a concentration of 2 mL. In contrast, the biopesticide Emamectin benzoate showed high mortality rates for adult southern cowpea beetles, reaching 100% after one day at the same concentration. This confirms the effectiveness and superiority of Emamectin benzoate compared to the control group, which did not show any fatalities. Different concentrations of pesticides had varying effects on spawning rates, with significant differences observed between the treatment and control groups. These results indicate the effect of the pesticides Tondexir and Emamectin benzoate on the egg-laying process of the Southern Cowpea beetle. The study showed that different concentrations of Tondexir and Emamectin benzoate did not lead to egg hatching, while the control group showed a high hatching rate of about 90-93%. This confirms the ability of these pesticides to combat the southern cowpea beetle. In conclusion, the study highlighted the effectiveness of Emamectin benzoate in combating the Southern Cowpea beetle, as the pesticide Emamectin benzoate showed superior results. It also greatly affected egg productivity and hampered the egg-hatching process. These results indicated the possibility of using tondexir and Emamectin benzoate as effective substances to control Callosobruchus maculaus in Cowpea crops.

Ageing and mating status affect food utilization efficiencies and assimilation of macronutrients in adults of Parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister

AbstractInvestigations of age‐based food conversion and utilization efficiencies in phytophagous insects are very few. Studies examining the effects of age, sex and mating status on biochemical assimilation of macronutrients by phytophagous insects are scarce as well. Hence, we designed the present study to evaluate the combined effect of age, sex and mating status on food consumption and utilization efficiencies, and the assimilation of macronutrients by the Parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), on the invasive weed, Parthenium hysterophorus Linnaeus (Asterales: Asteraceae). We hypothesized that mated adults would consume and utilize more food than unmated adults, that assimilation of nutrients by old adults would be lower than young adults and that females would consume and utilize food more efficiently than males. However, our results revealed that as adults aged, their food consumption and utilization efficiencies decreased, and they assimilated less proteins and glucose in their body. Despite that, their mean body biomass and assimilation of triglycerides increased. While mated adults had higher food utilization efficiencies and increased assimilation of triglycerides and glucose, unmated adults assimilated more proteins. Females had higher food consumption rates and increased assimilation of nutrients, whereas males had higher food conversion efficiencies and growth rates. Furthermore, middle‐aged adults had higher food utilization efficiencies and they assimilated more nutrients than young and old adults. Our results therefore suggest compensatory feeding in adults of Z. bicolorata with ageing. We also recommend the release of more numbers of mated middle‐aged females to control P. hysterophorus in agro‐ecosystems.

Predator metamorphosis and its consequence for prey risk assessment.

Living with a diverse array of predators provides a significant challenge for prey to learn and retain information about each predator they encounter. Consequently, some prey respond to novel predators because they have previous experience with a perceptually similar predator species, a phenomenon known as generalization of predator recognition. However, it remains unknown whether prey can generalize learned responses across ontogenetic stages of predators. Using wood frog tadpole (Lithobates sylvaticus) prey, we conducted two experiments to explore the extent of predator generalization of different life stages of two different predators: (1) predacious diving beetles (Dytiscus sp.) and (2) tiger salamanders (Ambystoma mavortium). In both experiments, we used chemical alarm cues (i.e., injured conspecific cues) to condition tadpoles to recognize the odor of either the larval or adult stage of the predator as risky. One day later, we tested tadpoles with either the larval or adult predator odor to determine whether they generalized their learned responses to the other life stages of the predator. Tadpoles generalized between larval and adult beetle odors but failed to generalize between larval and adult salamander odors. These results suggest that the odor of some predator species changes during metamorphosis to an extent that reduces their recognisability by prey. This "predator identity reset" increases the number of threats to which prey need to attend.

Population Dynamics of Natural Enemies of Stem Borer Complex and their Correlation with Weather Parameters in Rice Ecosystem

A field experiment was carried out at the Murjhad Research Farm, College of Agriculture Balaghat, during Kharif 2022 and Kharif 2023 to ascertain the population dynamics of natural enemies of stem borer complex, their relative abundance and correlation with abiotic factors in order to propose ecologically and financially feasible measures. Results reveal that spiders, mirid bugs, coccinellids, odonata, staphylinids, cicindelids and carabids were the most prevalent natural enemies in the rice ecosystem. The pooled results revealed that the population of spiders was first observed during the 31st SMW (0.10 spiders/hill) with its peak during the 40th SMW (1.21 spiders/hill). Population of mirid bugs was first observed during the 31st SMW (0.45 mirid bugs/ hill) with its peak during the 39th SMW (2.45 mirid bugs/ hill). The population of adult beetles of coccinellids was first observed during the 31st SMW (0.92 ladybird beetles/sq m) with its peak during the 40th SMW (13.51 ladybird beetles/sq m). The population of adult dragonflies and damselflies was first observed during the 30th SMW (0.40 dragonflies and damselflies/sq m) with its peak during the 38th SMW (8.28 dragonflies and damselflies/sq m). The population of adult staphylinids was first observed during the 30th SMW (1.50 adults/sq m) with its peak during the 38th SMW (18.00 adults/ sq m). The population of adult cicindelids was first observed during the 32nd SMW (0.24 adults/sq m) with its peak during the 37th SMW (0.70 adults/sq m). The population of adult beetles of carabids was first observed during the 30th SMW (0.23 adults/sq m) with its peak during the 39th SMW (3.69 adults/sq m). The pooled data on relative abundance revealed that a total of 385.55 adults of natural enemies were observed throughout the crop growth. Of them, 2.39% were spiders, 3.06% were mirid bugs, 26.78% were ladybird beetles, 18.80% were odonata, 40.98% were staphylinids, 1.14% were cicindelids, 6.85% were carabid beetles. The pooled data on correlation studies revealed that population of spiders was found significantly negative correlated with evaporation and wind velocity.  (r= -0.677 and -0.568, respectively) The adult population of mirid bugs found significantly positive correlated with morning RH and evening RH (r= 0.658 and 0.594, respectively). The adult population of coccinellids, odonata and staphylinids was not found significant with any whether parameters. The adult population of cicindelids   found significantly positive correlated with morning RH and evening RH (r= 0.666 and 0.644, respectively). The adult population of carabids found significantly positive correlated with morning RH and evening RH (r= 0.587 and 0.545, respectively).

ScRNA-seq Reveals Novel Genetic Pathways and Sex Chromosome Regulation in Tribolium Spermatogenesis.

Spermatogenesis is critical to sexual reproduction yet evolves rapidly in many organisms. High-throughput single-cell transcriptomics promises unparalleled insight into this important process but understanding can be impeded in nonmodel systems by a lack of known genes that can reliably demarcate biologically meaningful cell populations. Tribolium castaneum, the red flour beetle, lacks known markers for spermatogenesis found in insect species like Drosophila melanogaster. Using single-cell sequencing data collected from adult beetle testes, we implement a strategy for elucidating biologically meaningful cell populations by using transient expression stage identification markers, weighted principal component clustering, and SNP-based haploid/diploid phasing. We identify populations that correspond to observable points in sperm differentiation and find species specific markers for each stage. Our results indicate that molecular pathways underlying spermatogenesis in Coleoptera are substantially diverged from those in Diptera. We also show that most genes on the X chromosome experience meiotic sex chromosome inactivation. Temporal expression of Drosophila MSL complex homologs coupled with spatial analysis of potential chromatin entry sites further suggests that the dosage compensation machinery may mediate escape from meiotic sex chromosome inactivation and postmeiotic reactivation of the X chromosome.

Screening and Isolation of Xylanolytic Filamentous Fungi from the Gut of Scarabaeidae Dung Beetles and Dung Beetle Larvae.

Research on renewable biotechnology for renewable biofuel applications has reached new heights. This is highlighted by extensive biomining for novel enzymes to reduce the production costs from animal and insect gut microbiomes. This study explored the diversity and composition of hemicellulolytic fungi in the gut microbiota from dung beetles of the family Scarabaeidae (Pachylomerus femoralis, Anachalcos convexus and Euoniticellus intermedius). Two hundred and twenty-two filamentous fungi were isolated, purified and identified using rDNA sequencing of the ITS and D1/D2 regions. The fungal isolates were assigned to 12 genera and 25 species. Fungi associated with the genus Aspergillus was in abundance, with Hypocrea lixii predominantly isolated. Isolates that produced more than 3 U/mL of xylanase activity were evaluated further. The highest xylanase activity was of 23.6 and 23.5 U/mL for L1XYL9 (E. intermedius larvae) and Hypocrea lixii AB2A3 (A. convexus), respectively. Phylogeny of the fungal strains with xylanolytic activity was analysed using ITS rDNA sequences and revealed close genetic relatedness between isolates from the different dung beetle species. Fungal genera commonly found in the gut of both adult beetles and larvae included Aspergillus, Hypocrea, Talaromyces and Penicillium. The results obtained in this study suggest that the gut of Scarabaeidae dung beetles in South Africa is a rich source of xylanolytic fungi.

GREGARINA LUTESCENS N. SP. INFECTING THE HARLEQUIN LADYBIRD HARMONIA AXYRIDIS (COLEOPTERA: COCCINELLIDAE).

Gregarina lutescens n. sp. is described from the alimentary canal of the harlequin ladybird or multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) collected from prairie fleabane, Erigeron strigosus, at Peru State College, Peru, Nemaha Co., Nebraska. Our specimens differ from all 11 known species of Gregarina infecting coccinellid beetles worldwide by differences in size and relative shape, color, and association structure. Gregarina lutescens n. sp. is smaller than 7 known species infecting coccinellid beetles but larger than the other 4 known species based on confidence interval exclusion of means. Our specimens are unique among known species of interest in their quince-yellow cytoplasm and precocious but ephemeral serial associations of up to 5 satellites. Nucleotide sequence (18S) phylogenetic analyses place the new species basal to a member of an internal clade of Gregarina that comprises gregarines parasitizing chrysomelid beetles. Phylogenetically, the analysis recovered 3 major lineages within the gregarines, representing the superfamilies Gregarinoidea, Stenophoroidea, and Stylocephaloidea and indicating the propensity of gregarines to track host lineages and environments through evolutionary time. These findings confirm the polyphyletic nature of Gregarina, which currently comprises over 300 described species, only a handful of which have documented genetic sequences suitable for phylogenetic analysis. Recollection, redescription, and molecular clarification of gregarine species infecting coccinellids would likely result in identification of a unique clade that would be an excellent system for studying the effect of intraguild host competition on parasite diversification and community structure. Ecologically, patterns of prevalence in this study indicate that G. lutescens reproduces primarily in larval hosts but depends on infections in adult beetles to overwinter, reflecting the differential vagility and frost tolerance of larval and adult host life cycle stages.

Comparative Efficacy of Madrid Plant Extracts in Controlling Red Flour Beetle Populations: A Laboratory Evaluation of Alcohol and Aqueous Solutions

The efficiency of the alcohol and aqueous excerpt from the Madrid plant in killing ratios of colour red cover beetle larvae and adults afterwards behaviours lasting 24, 48, and 72 hours was valued in laboratory research. Three dissimilar Madrid plant absorptions (1.50 per cent, 3.0%, and 4.59 per cent) were selected to stop the beetle's larvae and adults. The outcomes displayed that the Madrid plant excerpt formed notable degrees. Following 72 hours, the watery excerpt's adult expiry rate was 33.0%, while the alcohol excerpt was 60.0% at 3.0% absorption. After 72 hours, the alcohol excerpt is concentrated larval expiry rate was 71.0% at 3.0% absorption; whereas the watery excerpt's extreme rate was 66.0%. After it derives the phenomena of attraction and repulsion, the paper initiates that the Madrid excerpt in the watery form displayed the maximum level of pull, reaching 9.30% at the absorption of 3.0% after 72 hours, while the repulsion rate was 15.550% at the similar absorption and time. Following 48 hours, the alcohol excerpt of Madrid showed a pull rate of 12.550% at 1.50% concentration. Additionally, following 72 hours, a revulsion rate of 19.80% at 3.0% concentration was realized in adult beetles. The extreme pull rate of the watery excerpt for larvae was 0.00% at all absorptions, and after 72 hours, a comparable revulsion rate of 10.950% was realized at a 4.50% concentration. Also, after 72 hours, the alcohol excerpt displayed a revulsion rate of 19.150% at 3.0% absorption and a pull rate of 0.00% at all concentrations.