Attagenus Piceus Research Articles

Chemical Composition and Insecticidal Activity of Essential Oils from Zanthoxylum dissitum Leaves and Roots against Three Species of Storage Pests.

This work aimed to investigate chemical composition of essential oils obtained from Zanthoxylum dissitum leaves and roots and their insecticidal activities against several stored product pests, namely the cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serricorne), red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) and black carpet beetle (Attagenus piceus). The analysis by GC-MS of the essential oils allowed the identification of 28 and 22 components, respectively. It was found that sesquiterpenoids comprised a fairly high portion of the two essential oils, with percentages of 74.0% and 80.9% in the leaves and roots, respectively. The main constituents identified in the essential oil of Z. dissitum leaves were δ-cadinol (12.8%), caryophyllene (12.7%), β-cubebene (7.9%), 4-terpineol (7.5%) and germacrene D-4-ol (5.7%), while humulene epoxide II (29.4%), caryophyllene oxide (24.0%), diepicedrene-1-oxide (10.7%) and Z,Z,Z-1,5,9,9-tetramethyl-1,4,7-cycloundecatriene (8.7%) were the major components in the essential oil of Z. dissitum roots. The insecticidal activity results indicated that the essential oil of Z. dissitum roots exhibited moderate contact toxicity against three species of storage pests, L. serricorne, T. castaneum and A. piceus, with LD50 values of 13.8, 43.7 and 96.8 µg/adult, respectively.

The Damage by the Larvae of the Black Carpet Beetles (Attagenus piceus) on the Moth-proofed Woolen Textile Stained with Food Materials

The Damage by the Larvae of the Black Carpet Beetles (Attagenus piceus) on the Moth-proofed Woolen Textile Stained with Food Materials

Trophic Structure of the Community in the Guano of the Evening Bat Nycticeius humeralis in Indiana

The most abundant organisms in the fauna of the guano of the evening bat Nycticeius humeralis, roosting in a church belfry in Clay County, Indiana, were three species of tenebrionid beetles, Tenebrio molitor, Tribolium ferrugineum and Neatus tenebrioides; a histerid beetle, Carcinops quattuordecimstriata, and the larvae of a fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (Muscidae). Adult milichiid flies, Leptometopa latipes, larval anthomyiid flies, Fannia canicu- laris; a bethylid wasp, Cephalonomia waterstoni, and two beetles, Attagenus piceus (Dermes- tidae) and Oxypoda sagulata (Staphylinidae) were other important components of this com- munity. A trophic diagram is given for this community.

A Complete and Highly Effective Mothproofing Agent Comprising a Pyrethroid and a Hexahydropyrimidine

Pyrethroids, considered as a general class of compounds, have been shown to provide effective protection from the larvae of the keratin‐digesting insects Tineola bisselliella H., Tinea pellionella Linn., Hofmannophila pseudo‐spretella Station and Attagenus piceus Oliv. The position regarding the susceptibility of the furniture carpet beetle to pyrethroids is less clear, however. It has been reported that both deltamethrin and permethrin are effective against Anthrenus flavipes Le Conte, whilst permethrin is also reported elsewhere to be effective against the same species. Results obtained in our laboratory, however, have indicated that pyrethroids may offer inadequate protection against Anthrenus vorax Waterh. [1, 2]. This latter species is identical to Anthrenus flavipes var. seminiveus Casey, a colour variety of Anthrenus flavipes Le Conte. The 1,3‐disubstituted5‐phenylcarbamoyl‐2,4,6‐trioxo‐ and 4,6‐dioxo‐2‐thione‐hexahydropyrimidine derivatives described in this paper exhibit a surprisingly high and selective toxicity to the Anthrenus species. Thus, a combination of an appropriate hexahydropyrimidine with a suitable pyrethroid, e.g. permethrin, provides complete control of a wide range of commonly encountered textile insect pests. The influence of substituents on the mothproofing activity is discussed.

The Biological Evaluation of Pyrethroids as Potential Mothproofing Agents. Part II ‐Esters of α‐Substituted Phenylacetic Acid

A previous study evaluating the mothproofing activity of synthetic pyrethroids of the type 2‐substituted 3,3‐dimethylcyclopropane‐ 1‐carboxylates found this class of compounds to be active against the common clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella H.) and the black carpet beetle (Attagenus piceus Oliv.), but higher concentrations were required to protect keratinous materials from larval damage by the furniture carpet beetle (Anthrenus vorax Waterh., syn. Anthrenus flavipesie Conte var. seminiveus Casey). The present paper evaluates the mothproofing efficacy of the structurally related α‐substituted phenyl‐acetates. It has been found that this class of substances exhibits an activity pattern that is similar to that of the 2‐substituted 3,3‐dimethylcyclopropane‐ 1‐carboxylates. A representative of the phenylacetate class, S—5439, is compared with the corresponding cyclopropanecarboxylate, permethrin.

The Biological Evaluation of Pyrethroids as Potential Mothproofing Agents

As a consequence of the restrictions imposed on the use of dieldrin, a world‐wide effort is being made to find an appropriate successor to protect keratinous materials from textile pests, in particular the larvae of the common clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella H.), the black carpet beetle (Attagenus piceus Oliv.) and the furniture carpet beetle (Anthrenus vorax Waterh.) Extensive investigations of permethrin (NRDC 143, FMC 33297, chemical name: 3phenoxybenzyl‐(±) c\s, trans‐2‐(2′,2′‐dichlorovinyl)‐3,3‐dimethylcyclopropane‐1‐carboxylate) have led to the marketing of this pyrethroid. The present paper evaluates different classes of 2‐substituted 3,3‐dimethylcyclopropane‐1‐carboxylates for their mothproofing efficacy. It has been found that the pyrethroids offer good protection against larval damage by the common clothes moth but as a general rule, are less effective in their activity to the Anthrenus species, a textile pest that is acquiring increasing importance as a major source of damage. This disadvantage is found even in otherwise highly active pyrethroids such as permethrin and deltamethrin. Cypermethrin was found to offer slightly better protection than permethrin against larval damage by Attagenus piceus.

Nutrient reserves in starving black carpet beetle larvae infected with the eugregarine Pyxinia frenzeli

Starvation-mediated alterations of nutrient reserves (lipid, protein, glycogen) of larvae of the black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma (= Attagenus piceus), were studied. Quantitative comparisons of these materials between uninfected larvae and those infected with the eugregarine Pyxinia frenzeli were performed in an effort to characterize pathologic conditions elicited by the gregarine. Fresh weight losses were similar in both types of insects; however, infected larvae had a consistently higher moisture content. No differences were detected in the rate of utilization of stored protein, glycogen, or lipid. These data provide evidence that P. frenzeli is a commensal or mutualist, rather than a pathogen.

Phonoreception in some Coleoptera infesting stored products

Mechanoreceptors that could be phonoreceptive were located and studied in Sitophilus oryzae (L.), with preliminary tests also on Sitophilus granarius (L.). Tribolium confusum (Herbst), Attagenus piceus (Olivier), and Trogoderma inclusum LeC. Various behavioral responses of tethered (mounted) beetles were used as indices of reception of air-borne and solid-borne sounds of known frequencies and pound pressure levels. The probable receptors for air-borne sounds in S. oryzae are the well developed Johnston's organs in the second antennal segments, and tactile hairs on the bodies. Both are primarily sensitive to air movements or contact, and sounds are active only at relatively high intensities or in the near-field. The probable receptors for solid-borne sounds (vibrations) are chordotonal organs of the legs, which have relatively high sensitivity, and possibly the muscle receptor organs of the body wall. These four potential phonoreceptors are described and figured. The low sensitivity to air-borne sounds and high sensitivity to solid-borne sounds is probably related to the specialized habits of these insects.

Light and electron microscopy of the meconium in the black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma, and its effect on the intestinal sporozoan, Pyxinia frenzeli

The meconium of Attagenus megatoma (= Attagenus piceus) is the most elaborate of all insect meconia previously described. It is a brown tube, tapered to a sharp point and closed on each end. Three layers form the tube: the outer shell is thin, transparent, and acellular; the middle sheath is brown, thin, and acellular; and the inside tube is thick, opaque, and open at each end. Electron microscopy showed the latter layer to be degenerating midgut epithelium of the larva. Formation of the meconium occurs in the larval midgut when the pupal cuticle has begun to form beneath that of the larva. At this time it is transparent and open on each end. Four hours later the meconium is a closed uniformly dark-brown tube. Defecation of the meconium begins 80 to 90 hr after emergence of the adult. The capsule enters the hindgut, collapses and fragments in the rectal area, and is defecated 86 to 96 hr after emergence of the adult. The meconium forms in larvae free of as well as those containing the midgut sporozoan Pyxinia frenzeli. Pyxinia frenzeli is not an intracellular gregarine but does remain attached to midgut cells of A. megatoma during its growing stage. When the meconium forms in an infected larva, all gregarines attached to the midgut as well as all sporonts and gametocyst stages of the sporozoan in the gut lumen are contained within the meconium. If the adult does not ingest spores, it is completely free of P. frenzeli after meconium defecation. Gregarine-free larvae do not become infected by ingesting meconia defecated by infected A. megatoma. In contrast to other insect-protozoan relationships of a nonparasitic, perhaps commensal nature, in which ecdysone secreted prior to molting induces formation of resistant stages, gametocyst formation in this protozoan is not favored when the meconium appears. The infectivity of this eugregarine is, therefore, greatly decreased by meconium formation. Another dermestid, Trogoderma parabile, was found to have a similar cycle of meconium formation and defecation.

Radiation sensitivity of twelve species of arthropods.

Eleven species of insects and 1 species of isopod were exposed to gamma radiation from cobalt-60 with total doses ranging from 1 to 512 kiloroentgens (kr) in 100% increments. Insects were irradiated and maintained under comparable conditions at 28°C. Mean and median life expectancy were estimated for each dose level. Life expectancy was significantly lowered for all species by exposure to 8 kr or more. Most species were affected by 4 kr. Exposure to 1 or 2 kr generally had no effects. Of the species tested the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.), was the most sensitive to radiation; the black carpet beetle, Attagenus piceus (Olivier) was the least sensitive. Correlations between radiation sensitivity and taxonomic grouping were poor. However, within insect orders size appeared to be a good basis for estimating mortality response to irradiation. Large species were found to be more sensitive to irradiation than smaller species.

Effect of starvation on the black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma, infected with the eugregarine Pyxinia frenzeli

The relationship between the eugregarine Pyxinia frenzeli and the black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma (= Attagenus piceus), was examined under starvation stress. A period of 42 days without access to food or water, during the insect's last larval instar, caused infected individuals to lose weight significantly faster than uninfected controls. Similarly, infected adult females weighed less after this same stress than uninfected individuals. The eugregarine-free control group was obtained from progeny reared from the second larval instar through pupation on a basal dog mealbrewer's yeast medium to which 8% (w/w) sorbic acid had been added. Data indicated that during a short period of complete starvation infected larvae lose weight almost twice as rapidly as their gregarine-free counterparts. Since partial and complete starvation periods are common among A. megatoma in the field, this apparently constant microbial inhabitant of the larval midgut probably aids in maintaining a check on the size of black carpet beetle field populations.

Biology of the gregarine Pyxinia frenzeli in the black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma

Pyxinia frenzeli, a eugregarine of the family Actinocephalidae, occupies considerable area of midgut lumen in the larva of the black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma (= Attagenus piceus). The only other reports of this protozoan are its original description and a note by Léger and Duboscq which were based on material from a related species of dermestid, Attagenus pellio, and dealt only with intrahost stages. In our laboratory the sporozoites were situated intracellularly between the brush border and the nucleus of the midgut epithelial cells. When P. frenzeli is in the early cephalont stage, its host cell hypertrophies, but is atrophied by the time the cephalont is mature. The insect host larva loses its midgut epithelium with each larval molt so infection of this gregarine must begin anew with ingestion of sporocysts by each instar. Pyxinia frenzeli has never been found parasitizing the midgut of the adult black carpet beetle. However, newly emerged adults may carry in their digestive tracts cephalonts, sporonts, and gametocysts enclosed in a blind sac, which is the intact remnant of the larval midgut. Gametocysts are formed in the midgut of the host most frequently by the union of two but often of three sporonts. Shrinking of the residual cytoplasm within the gametocyst is evident 24 hr after deposition in the host feces, and by the 3rd day spores cover the cytoplasm. About the 4th day after deposition the spores are released in a single chain. Pyxinia frenzeli is not autofluorescent at any stage of its life cycle. The protozoan can be eradicated from the black carpet beetle during the larval stage by incorporating 8% (w/w) sorbic acid into its diet. Aureomycin (0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.5%), Fumidil B (0.05%, 0.5%, 5.0%, and 10.0%) and sorbic acid at concentrations of 0.4%, 1.2%, and 4.0% in the diet were ineffective. Heavy infections of this gregarine do not alter weight of the insect larva, survival through adult stage or length of life cycle. The effects, if any, of this parasite (or commensal) on the black carpet beetle are currently under investigation.

O,O-diethyl phosphorothioate O-ester with phenylglyoxylonitrile oxime (Bay 77488) as a Mothproofer of Woolen Fabrics

O,O-diethyl phosphorothioate O-ester with phenylglyoxylonitrile oxime (Bay 77488) at calculated deposits as low as 0.05% by weight satisfactorily protected woolen cloth against feeding damage by. larvae of the black carpet beetle Attagenus piceus (Olivier) and of the webbing clothes moth Tineola bisselliella (Hummel). The biological data also showed the Bay 77488 residues to be moderately resistant to washing. highly resistant to drycleaning, and persistent through aging for at least 12 months. The oral LD 50 to rats is more than 1000 mg/kg.

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds as Mothproofing Agents

Mothproofing studies were conducted with 8 cationic quaternary ammonium compounds applied to woolen doth in constant-temperature baths. In CSMA (Chemical Specialties Manufacturers Association) insect-feeding tests with larvae of the black carpet beetle, Attagenus piceus (Olivier), and the webbing clothes moth, Tineola bisselliella (Hummel), these materials showed promise as mothproofing agents. The residues were not resistant to washing but were quite resistant to drycleaning. Application studies with Hyamine® 3500 (N -alkyl (C12, C14, C16) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride), found to be one of the more promising of the 8 compounds tested, showed this material can be used successfully for mothproofing washable woolens during laundering in automatic and nonautomatic home washers.

Mothproofing Investigations with Barthrin and Dimethrin

Fabrics treated with barthrin and dimethrin were given satisfactory protection from black carpet beetle larvae, Attagenus piceus (Olivier). in standard mothproofing tests. In feeding tests, after the treated cloth had been washed or drycleaned, the barthrin residues resisted washings but not drycleanings. Dimethrin residues were not very resistant to either washings or drycleanings. After the treated test fabric had aged 1 year, the barthrin-treated cloths still were protected from insect feeding. Only the cloths treated with the lowest deposit of dimethrin had very light damage.

Susceptibility of nine insect species to infection by Bacillus thuringiensis var. thuringiensis

Insect mortality and bacterial growth in the gut and in the hemolymph were studied in nine insect species (three orders) exposed to a commercial preparation of Bacillus thuringiensis var. thuringiensis. Mortalities observed in the adults of Oryzaephilus surinamensis and Sitophilus granarius, and larvae of Aedes aegypti and Aedes stimulans could not be accounted for as due to live bacterial spores or parasporal bodies. Mosquito species exhibited an inhibition of pupation. Malacosoma americana and Hyphantria cunea were killed rapidly by relatively low dosages. Attagenus piceus, Tenebroides mauritanicus, and Epilachna varivestis were not affected.

Effect of Gramma Radiation on Trogoderma glabrum and Attagenus piceus1

A study to determine the gross effects of gamma radiation on Trogoderma glabrum (Herbst) and the black carpet beetle, Attagenus piceus (Olivier), was conducted. All metamorphic stages of the insects were treated with 13.2 ± 10%, 17.5, 25, 45, and 100 kilorads or with 13.2 kilorads ± 10% repeated 5 times at hourly intervals for a total of 66 kilorads ± 10%. Each week mortality, developmental progress, and reproduction by treated individuals were checked. Eggs and larvae of both species were controlled effectively by all dosages. However, no dosage used was enough to produce complete mortality immediately of any of the stages of either species. Reproduction in both species was limited in the F1 generation to the insects where the P1 generation received the lowest dosage. Indications are that males of both species when treated directly were less subject to genetic damage than the females. Genetic damage, as evidenced by reduced reproduction, was transmitted to the F1 generation of T. globrum .

Evidence of Sex Pheromones in Females of Several Species of Dermestidae1

A volatile substance was obtained from the unmated female adult of the black carpet beetle, Attagenus piceus (Olivier); Trogoderma inclusum LeConte; and T. glabrum (Herbst) that influenced the behavior of the respective males. The volatile chemical or chemicals were collected by allowing the virgin females to walk on absorbent-paper disce or by washing with ether the filter paper and glass jars that held the virgin females. The substance was also filtered from an air stream that had passed through a flask containing virgin females.

Toxicity of Seven Candidate Fumigants to Stored-Product Insects

Laboratory studies were conducted to compare the toxicity of 7 candidate fumigants with methyl bromide (reference standard) to adults of confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val and of cigarette beetle Lasioderma serricorne (F.), and larvae of black carpet beetle, Attagenus piceus (Olivier). The insects were fumigated in 19.5-liter bottles at 80° ±4 °F and at a relative humidity of 78 ± 18%, In 24-hr exposure tests 2 propyn 1-01, n-butyl isothiocyanate and Virginia-Carolina 3-676 ( O -methyl S, S -dipropyl phosphorodithioatc) were the only chemicals that were more toxic than methyl bromide at LD93to all 3 insect species.

Fumigant Toxicity of 1,2,3-Tribromopropene, Ethylenimine, Crotyl Bromide, and Carbon Tetrachloride to Stored-Product Insects

Laboratory fumigations were conducted to compare the toxicity of 1,2,3-tribromopropene (C2H3Br3), ethylenimine (C2H5N), crotyl bromide (86% 1-bromo-2-butene and 14% 3-bromo-1-butene), and carbon tetrachloride (CCI4), to the adult confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val; to the adult saw-toothed grain beetle, Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L); to the adult cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (F.); and to the black carpet beetle larva, Attagenus piceus (Olivier). The insects were fumigated with these chemicals in 19.5-liter bottles for 24 hours at 80 ± 4° F and at an RH of 78% ± 18%. The dosage (mg/l) required for the LD95, depending on the species, varied from 0.35 to 2.39 for 1,2,3-tribromopropene, 0.87 to 5.02 for ethylenimine, 1.49 to 6.15 for crotyl bromide, and 50.7 to 298.1 for carbon tetrachloride.