Longevity Of Beetles Research Articles

Population growth of stored product insects on wheat containing wheat bugs

In the present study we examined the effect of the presence of wheat bugs (Eurygaster spp. and Aelia spp.) on wheat on the mortality, progeny production and infestation patterns of three stored product insects, Trogoderma granarium Everts, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.). The bioassays were carried out under laboratory conditions (25 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5% relative humidity (r.h.) and continuous darkness), and 20 adults of each stored product insect species were placed in plastic vials (3 cm in diameter, 8 cm in height) with wheat that contained different numbers of wheat bugs (1, 2, 3 or 5 adults). In general, stored product insect mortality was not affected by the presence of wheat bugs, in most of the combinations examined. In most of the cases, mortality of T. granarium was higher on wheat which contained Eurygaster that wheat containing Aelia, while progeny production of S. oryzae was also affected by the presence of wheat bugs. Frass production for all combinations was similar, but greater frass production occurred by all combinations of R. dominica with Aelia. Overall, the presence of wheat bugs could affect the survival and the progeny production of both S. oryzae and R. dominica. In general, our results showed that beetle longevity and fecundity can be affected by the presence of wheat bugs that are likely to be present in stored grains after harvest.Graphical abstract

Life history of the Asian longhorn beetleAnoplophora glabripennis(Coleoptera Cerambycidae) in southern Europe

The Asian longhorn beetle Anoplophora glabripennis is highly polyphagous and widely spread over regions with different climates. Determining the key life-history traits is important for understanding how local conditions affect its successful establishment and to develop adaptive management strategies. 2 Field and laboratory studies were conducted from 2010 to 2012 on an A. glabripennis infestation in Northern Italy, aiming to determine its seasonal phenology, adult beetle longevity, density of successful emergence, infestation age and overwintering life history. 3 Adult beetle emerged from infested trees from 22 May to 28 June. Ninety percent of emergence was reached around 20 July. The first 1% of emergence was accurately predicted by an accumulated degree-day model. 4 In the laboratory, the mean longevity of males and females developed under natural conditions was 27.8 ± 1.7 and 24.9± 1.8 days, respectively. In northern Italy, A. glabripennis largely overwinter as mature larvae in the xylem. The mean density of exit holes was 24.0 ± 2.7 holes/m 2 of bark, with successful emergence from branches as small as 3.2 cm in diameter. Although the infestation was discovered in June 2009, the oldest exit hole found in infested trees dated from 2005.

Mating patterns in the aphidophagous ladybird, Hippodamia variegata, depend on body size

Body size dependent mating patterns were investigated in an aphidophagous ladybird, Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), which was reared on mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.). Both males and females of varying body sizes were used to test the hypothesis that bigger is better. The costs of copulation on the life history traits of the mating partners were determined. Pairs of virgin beetles were allowed to mate once under controlled conditions and the duration of copulation of heavy beetles (504.00 ± 45.93 min) lasted significantly longer for than that of light beetles (270.00 ± 26.67 min). Body size was significantly positively correlated with duration of oviposition, fecundity and egg viability. When light individuals mated with heavy partners, copulation lasted longer between heavy males and light females (483.00 ± 54.73 min) than between light males and heavy females (378.20 ± 83.03 min). These results support the hypothesis that males determine the duration of copulation and that the reproductive success of large males is greater than that of small males. The longevity of heavy males was significantly shorter (37.40 ± 1.50 days) than that of light males (53.10 ± 2.84 days). This difference in the longevity of beetles of different sizes could contribute to the significant variation body size in H. variegata recorded both in the field and stock cultures, where light males outnumber heavy ones. Thus, although large males have a reproductive advantage over small males, other factors, such as reduced longevity, may constrain the evolution of even larger males.

Sex‐biased parasitism of adult spring beetles, Heteronyx dimidiata and Heteronyx crinitus, by Tachinidae in Eucalyptus nitens plantations in Australia

AbstractParasitism of adult Heteronyx dimidiata (Erichson) and H. crinitus Blackburn (Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae), that attack Eucalyptus nitens plantation seedlings in southern Australia, was recorded over 3 years. An undescribed genus of Blondeliini (Tachinidae: Exoristinae) was reared from both scarab species while a Palpostoma sp. (Tachiinae) was reared from H. crinitus. Flies were observed parasitising flying beetles by intercepting them mid‐air. Eggs were laid externally on the exoskeleton, mainly on the dorsum of abdominal tergites. Male H. dimidiata were parasitised significantly more (40%) than female conspecifics (13%) and male or female H. crinitus (both 13%), which was attributed to their greater flight activity searching for mates. Superparasitism was common in both species, particularly in male H. dimidiata (56% of parasitised beetles, up to 22 eggs/beetle), despite evidence that only a single tachinid could complete development in a beetle. Early stages of parasitism in H. dimidiata females did not appear to affect ovarian development nor the ability of beetles to feed on young trees. However, we infer that the tachinids had a significant impact on Heteronyx spp. populations through a reduction in adult beetle longevity and fitness.

Longevity in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum is enhanced by broccoli and depends on nrf-2, jnk-1 and foxo-1 homologous genes

Diet is generally believed to affect the aging process. The effects of complex foods on life span can be investigated using simple models that produce rapid results and allow the identification of food-gene interactions. Here, we show that 1% lyophilized broccoli, added to flour as a dietary source, significantly increases the life span of the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) under physiological conditions (32°C) and under heat stress (42°C). The beneficial effects of broccoli could also be reproduced by supplementing flour with the isothiocyanate sulforaphane at concentrations found in the broccoli-supplemented diet. We identified stress-resistant genes responsible for these effects on longevity by microinjecting pupae with double-stranded RNA to induce RNA interference (RNAi). The knockdown of transcripts encoding homologs of Nrf-2, Jnk-1 and Foxo-1 reduced the life span of beetles and abrogated the beneficial effects of broccoli, whereas the knockdown of Sirt-1 and Sirt-3 had no impact in either scenario. In conclusion, T. castaneum is a suitable model organism to investigate food-gene interactions that affect stress resistance and longevity, and RNAi can be used to identify functionally relevant genes. As a proof of principle, we have shown here that broccoli increases the longevity of beetles and mediates its effect through signaling pathways that include key stress-resistant factors such as Nrf-2, Jnk-1 and Foxo-1.

The genetic architecture of extended life span in the seed beetle Acanthoscelides obtectus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

We studied the genetic architecture of the differences in the longevity between lines selected for postponed senescence and a control population of the seed beetle Acanthoscelides obtectus maintained on two hosts. By using lines with increased longevity, which were obtained by selection on natural variation in longevity, we showed that the genetic architecture of seed beetle longevity is complex, with sex-specific effects and variation attributable to many interacting genes, whose expression depend on the host on which the beetles were reared. The nonadditive genetic effects were more strongly expressed when reared on chickpeas, a novel host, than on beans. Outbreeding depression, with respect to longevity, was a consequence of both the intrinsic effect of interactions between genes from different parental sources (disruption of coadapted gene complexes) and the genotype × host interaction (loss of local adaptation).

Seasonal Fluctuation, Age Structure, and Annual Changes in a Population of <I>Cassida rubiginosa</I> (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in a Natural Habitat

Cassida rubiginosa Muller (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) has attracted considerable interest as a potential biological control agent against thistle (Astaraceae: Cardueae) weeds, but population characteristics of this species are not well understood. We conducted an intensive mark–recapture study from 1996 to 1999 in Yuwaku, Kanazawa, Japan, to estimate adult population parameters such as population size, longevity, movement activity, reproductive rate, and winter survival. Overwintered adults began to emerge from hibernation in early April and actively moved among host plants until early May. Thereafter, adult dispersal activity decreased until late June, and the number of beetles gradually declined. New adults were active for only 2 to 3 wk after emergence and began aestivation at the end of August. Despite low reproductive rates per generation, the overwintering population was stable at a high density. Beetle longevity was substantial, and many individuals overwintered more than once. The age structure of adult beetles was responsible for the high stability of the population and low reproductive rate.

SURVIVAL OF COPRIS MINUTUS (COLEOPTERA: SCARABAEIDAE) DURING CARRION AND DUNG FEEDING REGIMES

Abstract Adult Copris minutus individuals were maintained in the laboratory on a feeding regime of either cow dung or dead insects, and their survival compared with beetles maintained without food. There was no significant difference in the longevity of beetles maintained on either feeding regime, but both groups survived significantly longer than those without food. Females in all groups survived longer than males, and reproduction occurred only in groups consuming cow dung.

Effect ofBtCorn Expressing the Cry3Bb1 Toxin on Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Biology

In Kansas, the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is one of the most economically important pests of corn. Crop losses and control costs attributed to Diabrotica spp. reach $1 billion annually in the U.S. Recently, Bt corn hybrids resistant to western corn rootworm larval damage have been field-tested for rootworm control. This study evaluated the effect of a specific Bt corn (YieldGard Rootworm®) for corn rootworm control on larval survival. Elytra length, fecundity, percent egg hatch, and longevity of adult D. v. virgifera that survived exposure to Bt corn in the larval stage were also evaluated. Two groups of D. v. virgifera adults were assessed. One group had emerged from Bt and non-Bt corn roots; the other group was obtained from a colony with no larval exposure to Bt corn and fed Bt or non-Bt corn silk and ears. Bt corn significantly reduced the number of D. v. virgifera beetles emerging from corn roots. In general, Bt corn had no significant effect on longevity, elytra length, and female fecundity of D. v. virgifera beetles emerging from Bt corn plants. Bt corn had no significant effect on longevity and female fecundity of D. v. virgifera beetles feeding only as adults on Bt corn silk and ears. In general, Bt corn had no effect on number of D. v. virgifera beetles feeding in the field on corn silk and on silk damage caused by adults. Generally, the results of this study demonstrated that Bt corn (MON 863) expressing the Cry3Bb1 toxin was extremely effective in reducing damage caused by D. v. virgifera larvae and had no significant effects on the longevity of beetles emerging from YieldGard Rootworm® corn.

Effects of Temperature on Fecundity and Longevity of <I>Phoracantha recurva</I> and <I>P. semipunctata</I> (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

The cerambycid beetles Phoracantha recurva Newman and Phoracantha semipunctata F. were accidentally introduced into southern California where they have caused significant mortality to eucalyptus trees. In recent years, P. recurva populations have increased rapidly with a concomitant decrease in P. semipunctata numbers in their shared habitat in southern California. P. recurva has been collected in field surveys earlier in the season, suggesting that this species may be active over a broader range of temperatures and consequently have a longer seasonal activity period. We conducted lifetime fecundity studies to examine egg production, egg hatch, and adult longevity of beetles of both species subjected to temperatures typical of late fall and late winter/early spring in southern California. Overall, there were no differences in lifetime fecundity between P. recurva and P. semipunctata. P. recurva did not seem to reproduce over a larger range of temperatures than P. semipunctata, and there did not seem to be any substantial differences in their reproductive biologies. P. recurva eclosed slightly faster and lived slightly longer at reproductive temperatures than P. semipunctata, suggesting that P. recurva may have a slight reproductive advantage over P. semipunctata. However, it seems unlikely that such an advantage can account for the rapid increase in P. recurva populations and the simultaneous decrease in P. semipunctata populations in southern California.

Longevity and Reproductive Success of Aethina tumida (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) Fed Different Natural Diets

The longevity and reproductive success of newly emerged, unfed adult Aethina tumida Murray assigned different diets (control = unfed; honey-pollen; honey; pollen; empty brood comb; bee brood; fresh Kei apples; and rotten Kei apples) were determined. Longevity in honey-fed small hive beetle adults (average maximum: 167 d) was significantly higher than on other diets. Small hive beetles fed empty brood comb lived significantly longer (average maximum: 49.8 d) than unfed beetles (average maximum: 9.6 d). Small hive beetle offspring were produced on honey-pollen, pollen, bee brood, fresh Kei apples, and rotten Kei apples but not on honey alone, empty brood comb, or in control treatments. The highest reproductive success occurred in pollen fed adults (1773.8 ± 294.4 larvae per three mating pairs of adults). The data also show that A. tumida can reproduce on fruits alone, indicating that they are facultative parasites. The pupation success and sex ratio of small hive beetle offspring were also analyzed. Larvae fed pollen, honey-pollen, or brood had significantly higher pupation success rates of 0.64, 0.73, and 0.65 respectively than on the other diets. Sex ratios of emerging adults fed diets of pollen or brood as larvae were significantly skewed toward females. Because small hive beetle longevity and overall reproductive success was highest on foodstuffs located in honey bee colonies, A. tumida are efficient at causing large-scale damage to colonies of honey bees resulting in economic injury for the beekeeper. Practical considerations for the control of A. tumida are briefly discussed.

Longevity and reproductive success of Aethina tumida (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) fed different natural diets.

The longevity and reproductive success of newly emerged, unfed adult Aethina tumida Murray assigned different diets (control = unfed; honey-pollen; honey; pollen; empty brood comb; bee brood; fresh Kei apples; and rotten Kei apples) were determined. Longevity in honey-fed small hive beetle adults (average maximum: 167 d) was significantly higher than on other diets. Small hive beetles fed empty brood comb lived significantly longer (average maximum: 49.8 d) than unfed beetles (average maximum: 9.6 d). Small hive beetle offspring were produced on honey-pollen, pollen, bee brood, fresh Kei apples, and rotten Kei apples but not on honey alone, empty brood comb, or in control treatments. The highest reproductive success occurred in pollen fed adults (1773.8 +/- 294.4 larvae per three mating pairs of adults). The data also show that A. tumida can reproduce on fruits alone, indicating that they are facultative parasites. The pupation success and sex ratio of small hive beetle offspring were also analyzed. Larvae fed pollen, honey-pollen, or brood had significantly higher pupation success rates of 0.64, 0.73, and 0.65 respectively than on the other diets. Sex ratios of emerging adults fed diets of pollen or brood as larvae were significantly skewed toward females. Because small hive beetle longevity and overall reproductive success was highest on foodstuffs located in honey bee colonies, A. tumida are efficient at causing large-scale damage to colonies of honey bees resulting in economic injury for the beekeeper. Practical considerations for the control of A. tumida are briefly discussed.

Effect of Food and Mating on Longevity and Egg Production in the Green June Beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

A laboratory rearing experiment was conducted to determine the effect of food intake and mating on longevity and egg production of the female adult green June beetle, Cotinis nitida (L.). A positive relationship existed between the number of eggs laid per beetle and beetle longevity (r = 0.37; P < 0.0001), where apple-fed beetles laid 2.2 eggs per day during a lifespan of 23.0 days and the water-fed beetles laid 1.87 eggs per day during a significantly shorter lifespan of 14.8 days (P < 0.0001). After mean adjustments for the effects of beetle longevity (by the LSMEANS procedure), the apple-fed beetles laid an average of 50.8 eggs which was significantly higher than the 26.9 eggs laid by the water-fed beetles (P < 0.0002). The number of matings had no effect on the numbers of eggs produced nor on beetle longevity. The treatment effects on percentage egg hatch by mating and feeding were insignificant. However, the effect of mating on the percentage of egg hatch differed depending on feeding. These differences were presumed to be due to soil differences between egg rearing containers and not to the effects of mating or feeding. These results suggest that feeding beetles live longer and produce more offspring than beetles that do not feed.

THE EFFECT OF THE CONSUMPTION OF NPV-INFECTED DEAD FALL ARMYWORM LARVAE ON THE LONGEVITY OF TWO SPECIES OF SCAVENGER BEETLES

Adults of the scavenger beetles Ateuchus histeroides Weber and Trox suberosus F. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) were fed 4 meals in the laboratory over a 3-wk interval, of either dead fall armyworm larvae killed by nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) or non-infected fall armyworm larvae killed in hot water. The beetles were held without additional food for 87 d and the time to death was compared with that of beetles unfed during the test period. For both species, there were no statistically significant differences between the longevity of beetles consuming virus-infected carcasses and those consuming uninfected carcasses. Consequently, the application of fall armyworm NPV in row crop situations would have little negative effect on populations of these scavenger beetles.