Beetle Research Articles

Biodiversity of Some Economically Significant Stored Grain Pests in Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir

The stored grain pests infest grains and other pantry items to fulfill their food and shelter requirements leading to both qualitative and quantitative losses. Due to favorable climatic conditions of Jammu, these stored grain insects register their presence throughout the year. These insects destroy and contaminate kitchen commodities with their fecal matter and undesirable odors and make them unpalatable, thus, posing a grave health hazard. Due to this reason, the post-harvest loss in India accounts for about 10% of the total grains and 9.5% of total pulses. The insects were collected randomly from places like super markets, grocery shops, ration depots, godowns, warehouses, etc. and were preserved in fumigated collection boxes using standard entomological procedures. From the study area, 16 insects under two orders namely Coleoptera (81.25%) and Lepidoptera (18.75%) were recorded on Pantry commodities within human dwellings in Jammu from 2017-2018. Of these, 9 insects have been recorded for the first time in the district, all of which belong to order Coleoptera. This is the first ever documentation of insect pests associated with stored grains from the Jammu district. However, this pilot study, which represents miniscule fraction of insect diversity in homes, requires a detailed and full scale investigations from the Jammu district, which is intended to be taken in further studies among these group of insects.

Damage caused by the weevil Listroderes foveatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in sunflower crops in southeastern Buenos Aires (Argentina)

Sunflowers are attacked by insect pests at various stages of crop development. Among them there is a complex of species of Coleoptera order, genus Listroderes Schoenherr, commonly known as “sunflower weevils”. The adults affect the crop at the early stages of its development. During 2019-2020 growing season, adult of Listroderes foveatus (Lea) species caused significant losses in the sunflower plant stand, in several sunflower plots of the southeastern region of Buenos Aires province. Damage at basal level of the plant stem was registered. Depending on the vegetative development stage, they caused their cut or strangulation, followed by overturning and subsequent death. The magnitude of the damage caused was reflected in the need for total or partial resowing in several sunflower plots.

Biodiversity of Scarabaeidaecoleoptera Scarab Beetles in Different Regions of the World: A Review Article

The scarab beetles of the order Coleoptera include both beneficial and harmful insects. The continued increase of small cities in developing nations created a challenge for conservation and an opportunity for implementing new research and land use concepts.

Complete genome analysis of a novel picorna-like virus from a ladybird beetle (Cheilomenes sexmaculata).

The ladybird beetle Cheilomenes sexmaculata (family Coccinellidae, order Coleoptera) is a common insect predator of agricultural pests. In this study, the full genome sequence of a novel picorna-like virus, tentatively named "Cheilomenes sexmaculata picorna-like virus 1" (CSPLV1), was identified in C. sexmaculata. The full-length sequence of CSPLV1 is 11,384 nucleotides (nt) in length (excluding the polyA tail), with one predicted open reading frame (ORF) encoding a polyprotein of 3727 amino acids, a 13-nt 5' untranslated region (UTR), and a 187-nt 3' UTR. The ORF of CSPLV1 consists of four distinct domains, including an RNA virus helicase domain (nt 3029-3319), a peptidase domain (nt 5555-6121), an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase domain (nt 7154-8101), and a picorna-like coat protein domain (nt 8606-9283). Phylogenetic analysis based on the conserved RdRP sequence showed that CSPLV1, together with Wuhan house centipede virus 3, Hypera postica associated virus 1, and Diabrotica undecimpunctata virus 1, forms an unclassified group that is closely related to members of the family Solinviviridae. To the best of our knowledge, CSPLV1 is the first picorna-like virus discovered in C. sexmaculata.

Insect diversity of the Mukundpur Tiger reserve, Satna (M.P.)

An inventory of species diversity of insects of the Mukundpur Tiger Reserve, Satna (M.P.). Small insects with the soft body were collected by hand with the help of a fine camel hair brush and forceps, and then preserved in 70% alcohol by dipping the soft brush into the medium. Sweeping nets were used to collect the insect from plants. A long stick was used for beating the plants harboring insects. A big size cloth is spread over the ground to collect the falling insects. Total recorded aquatic insect sp. distribution was expressed in higher to lower order as Coleoptera (36), Hemiptera (22), Odonata (11), Diptera (6), Ephereoptera (4), and Trichoptera (2). Aquatic insect Order as per the comparative evaluation Coleoptera was found in utmost count compared through Hemiptera, Odonata, Diptera, Ephemeroptera, and Trichoptera. The order Coleoptera consist (45%), Hemiptera (27.16%), Odonata (13.58%), Diptera (7.40%), Ephereoptera (4.90%), and Trichoptera (2.46%) from observed aquatic insect species. MKPTSR is a well-distinguished place intended for the affluence of coleopteran fauna.

Inventory of insects in the El Ghrous's palm grove (Biskra; Algeria)

The diversity and species richness of insects were studied at the palm grove of El Ghrous. The insects were collected using two types of traps: Barber and Aerial. Forty-four insect species were inventoried. This inventory shows a predominance of Order Coleoptera with 6 families, 13 species and 241 individuals, followed by Hemiptera with 5 families, 7 species and 111 individuals, and Orthoptera with 2 families, 7 species and 54 individuals. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2021, 7(1): 85-94

Hylastes ater (black pine bark beetle)

Hylastes ater (black pine bark beetle)

An ultra-specific image dataset for automated insect identification

Automated identification of insects is a tough task where many challenges like data limitation, imbalanced data count, and background noise needs to be overcome for better performance. This paper describes such an image dataset which consists of a limited, imbalanced number of images regarding six genera of subfamily Cicindelinae (tiger beetles) of order Coleoptera. The diversity of image collection is at a high level as the images were taken from different sources, angles and on different scales. Thus, the salient regions of the images have a large variation. Therefore, one of the main intentions in this process was to get an idea about the image dataset while comparing different unique patterns and features in images. The dataset was evaluated on different classification algorithms including deep learning models based on different approaches to provide a benchmark. The dynamic nature of the dataset poses a challenge to the image classification algorithms. However transfer learning models using softmax classifier performed well on the current dataset. The tiger beetle classification can be challenging even to a trained human eye, therefore, this dataset opens a new avenue for the classification algorithms to develop, to identify features which human eyes have not identified.

Pollinators of oil palm and relationship to fruitset and yield in two fruit forms in Ghana

Oil palm and its pollinators are native to Africa. Notwithstanding, it has been extensively cultivated outside its native range, so also has its pollinators been acquired and introduced. A concern, however is that most documentation on oil palm and its pollinators are non-indigenous, with little information of African origin commenting on their activities in Africa. Thus, a study on the insect pollinators of oil palm was carried out on two fruit forms: Dura and Tenera, (ages ten and seven, respectively), in Ghana. The aim was to understand how average monthly population density of the pollinators relates to one another, and to two bunch parameters (fruitset and fruit-to-bunch ratio). Nine species (all in the order Coleoptera) were consistently seen on the spikelets of anthesising male inflorescences, and eleven species on receptive female inflorescences. Six were of the Elaeidobius genus: E. kamerunicus, E. plagiatus, E. singularis, E. subvittatus, E. bilineatus, and Elaeidobius sp. 1 (unidentified species); two each were of the Microporum genus: M. congolenses, M. dispar, and the Prosoestus genus: P. scuptilis, P. minor; while one species was of either Atheta or Forficula. The pollinators were observed to be positively related, and to varying degree of significance. Fruitset level was acceptably high, indicating adequate pollinator population and efficient pollination. There was a positive relationship between population density of the pollinators and fruitset, and a negative relationship between the bunch parameters. A number of other insects were seldom observed around the male and female inflorescences; their role could not be defined.

Classification Study of the Order of Coleoptera for High School Biology E-bookletslet Development Materials

E-bookletss are needed to provide references for students who have limited access to books. The use of e-bookletss as learning media will make it easier for students to understand the subject matter compared to delivering information orally. Through the e-bookletslet, students can directly observe the pictures and explanations in the media. The e-bookletslet learning media on the classification of the order Coleoptera that was developed can be used as an enrichment learning medium. This study aims to examine the classification of the order Coleoptera for materials for developing e-bookletss for biology learning in senior high schools. The initial step of the research was to examine the material for the classification of the order Coleoptera. Furthermore, the results of the study were used as substances that were developed into e-bookletslet learning media. The e-bookletslet's development uses the ADDIE model with five stages: analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. Products developed go through validation stages overseen by a team of material experts and media experts. The validation by material experts and media experts obtained very feasible results with a percentage of 91% and 90%, respectively. Small group and large group trials on high school students obtained very good results with a percentage of 90% and 89%, and the teacher's assessment percentage was 95% with a very good category. Based on the results of the data analysis carried out, the e-bookletslet learning media on the classification material of the order Coleoptera is suitable for use in learning activities.

DNA Barcoding of Key Storage Pests Using Mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I

Stored grain insect pests are of economic importance, and they spread rapidly through the grain trade. Hence, it is important to identify these pests accurately. Although several morphological methods exist, it is tedious and time-consuming. DNA barcoding using mitochondrial COI is an alternative approach that aids in precise species identification. In this study, 13 stored grain insect pests belonging to the order Coleoptera and Lepidoptera were collected from different storage structures in Coimbatore. A fragment of mt-COI was amplified and sequenced. Sequence analyses were carried out with BOLD (Barcode of Life Data System) and ABGD (Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery) tools. The barcoding gap analysis revealed that the inter-species genetic distance is greater than the intra-species genetic distance. The ABGD analysis for species delimitation partitioned the Coleopteran and Lepidopteran datasets into 9 and 4 putative species, respectively. The barcode gap was absent in more closely related species. However, analysis of their sequences revealed significant variations. Our results showed the ability of the mt-COI to discriminate between the species, thus provide a complementary technique for the diagnosis of stored grain insect pests.

Toxicological and Pharmacokinetic Analysis by Insilico Bioinformatics Tools of an Ancient Medicine Compound Cantharidin Derived from Spanish fly

Background: Cantharidin, a vesicant released by spanish fly belongs to species beetles of zoological order Coleoptera. It has a long history in both folk and traditional medicine use for topical cantharidin to treat warts and molluscum and as an aphrodisiac. They are also known to cause poisoning by the presence of toxic principle.Aims and Objectives: The aims of the study were to study possible drug likeness, pharmacokinetic and toxicological profiling of known toxicological active principle cantharidin by insilico analysis and prediction tools.Materials & Methods: This study was investigated on web-based tools PubChem to extract the chemical structure, followed by authentication and validation with the chemical formula. The two-dimensional structures are further converted to three-dimensional (3D) structure with ChemSketch software; The structures are then screened for molecular properties with Simplified Molecular Input Line Entry System, followed by absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, and toxicity through SWISS ADME software web based tool. The reports are analyzed and predicted for drug likeness, pharmacokinetic and toxicity characters of cantharidin.Results: The compounds screened cantharidin for drug likeness had a Log P score of >4.15, Bioavailability Score of 0.55, +ve blood brain barrier +ve Intestinal penetration and -ve to Cytochrome P450 enzyme induction and inhibition. The toxic hazard classification by Cramer resulted as HIGH –CLASS III with Skin Sensitization score of 0.861Conclusion: The insilico analysis predicts cantharidin belongs to class III Toxic hazard classification but potential as drug like candidate for topical administration due to its high skin sensitivity and irritation ability as a vesicant in treatment of warts and molluscum.

The influence of natural climatic conditions on the species diversity of insects in the conditions of the southern forest-steppe zone of Chelyabinsk region

The influence of natural climatic conditions on the species diversity of insects in the cereal-grass biocenosis on the territory of peasant farm “Markovo-1” located in the southern forest-steppe zone of Chelyabinsk region has been studied. During the survey of entomofauna on the territory of peasant farm “Markovo-1” 19 herpetobiont species have been identified in the biocenosis which are represented by 9 families. 51 species of hortobionts belonging to 8 orders and 25 families were identified. Entomofauna was represented by the following orders: Dragonflies (Odonata), Coleopterans (Coleoptera), Dipterans (Diptera), true Hemipterans or bugs (Hemiptera), Neuropterans (Neuroptera), Lepidopterans (Lepidoptera), Orthopterans (Orthoptera), Hymenopterans (Hymenoptera). 421 herpetobionts and 482 hortobionts were identified in the cereal-grass biocenosis. Insects of the order Coleoptera belonged to 16 families and 32 species. The largest number of species were the representatives of the family of Ground beetles (Carabidae) and Lamellate beetles (Scarabaeidae) (5-6 species). The number of other families of this order was not so significant (1-3 species). Insects of the Lepidoptera order were represented by 6 families and 15 species. During the phytosanitary control of the studied agrocenosis the economic thresholds of insect harmfulness were determined. According to the results of the survey of the territory of the farm several species of insect pests the representatives of different orders and families true Hemipterans or Bugs (Hemiptera) the family of shield Bugs (Pentatomidae), the species of Corn Bugs (Eurygaster integriceps) were found from the discovered herpetobionts and hortobionts. Order Lepidoptera, family - Scoops (Noctuidae), species - Winter Scoops (Agrotis segetum Den.et Schiff.); family - Fireflies (Pyralidae), species - Meadow Moth (Pyralidae); family of Weevils (Curculionidae), beetroot Weevil Species (Bothynoderes punctiventris G.). A species Click Beetle (Agriotes sputator L.) belonging to the family of Click Beetles (Elateridae) is found only once.

Molecular Phylogeny of Myllocerus viridanus (Fabricius) by mitochondrial Cytochrome B gene Sequencing

In order to create accurate control techniques against insect pests, correct taxonomic identification is critical. This paper describes the molecular phylogeny of Grey weevil, Myllocerus viridanus (Fabricius) by the sequencing of their mitochondrial cytochrome B gene. The development of a simple and most elegant tools of DNA barcoding has made taxonomy and phylogeny studies a much facile process. M. viridanus is among the important polyphagous pests of plants of agricultural and horticultural importance. The sequencing of Cyt B gene yielded a 273 bp nucleotide product. Phylogentic analysis was carried out in Mega 11 software. Gen Bank deposition indicated the novel and first time records of cytochromeb gene barcode of M. viridanus and first time deposit of a species from the genus Myllocerus. The deposit was provided with an accession number OM223090. Further analysis showed that the partial sequence of mitochondrial cytochrome B of M.viridanus has 88.89% similarity with that of Romualdius bifoveolatus (KX087356) .The identity of M.viridanus(OM223090)ranged from 88.17 to 83.68% when nucleotide BLAST was carried out with nearest 21 species of curculionids (NCBI). The result indicated that cytochrome b gene barcoding can be successfully used to resolve species level identification of the members of the family Curculionidae and the genus Myllocerus of the order Coleoptera. Thus mitochondrial Cytochrome b gene like mitochondrial COX 1 gene, can be used as an efficient tool for the species level identification of the members of Coleopterans. Further interpretation on phylogeny was done by constructing neighbor joining tree using Kimura -2 Parameter. This approach was very informative and it helped in the better understanding of genetic variation among closely related species of Curculionids.

SCREENING THE ABILITY TO CONTROL MESOMORPHUS VILLIGER (BLACK BEAN BEETLE) OF SIX METARHIZIUM ANISOPLIAE STRAINS ISOLATED IN BINH DUONG, VIET NAM

Three types of bio-preparations of six different Metarhizium anisopliae strains (Ma-SD, Ma-SAT, Ma-ST, Ma-RS, Ma-RN, and Ma-RM) isolated from soil in Binh Dương province, Viet Nam, including conidia, LIMs and MIXs, were evaluated the acaricidal effects on Mesomorphus villager (Black bean beetle). The results of conidia studies showed the high efficacies of Ma-SAT and Ma-ST at 98.64 ± 1.25 percent and 95.23 ± 3.15 percent, in turn. The times to kill half of the studied beetles were observed from the 9th day to the 12th day of the 15-day study process seemed indifferent and late, also without signs of mycosis at the end of the studies. LIMs had low efficacies in the studies, though the LIM of Ma-SAT continued to perform the efficacy at 57.14 ± 3.45 percent among the studied groups after the 15-day study process, moreover, its LIM was the only one killing half of the beetles on day 13th of the study process. The efficacies of MIXs were all higher than 91 percent, among them, Ma-ST, Ma-SAT, and Ma-RS showed their outstanding performance at 96.94 ± 2.49, 98.08 ± 1.21, 98.18 ± 1.38, respectively. Interestingly, all strains were observed to kill half of the studied beetles on day 5th of study time, the soonest one was recorded from the Ma-SAT experiment on day 3rd.

First Report on Karyotypic, Morphometric and Meiotic Analysis of a Predatory Bombardier Beetle Pherosophus catoirai (Coleoptera: Carabidae) from Jammu region of Outer Himalayas, India

Chromosomal studies and manual karyotyping are the aged techniques for determining the identity of a species on evolutionary scale; however, these techniques are simple, reliable and inexpensive to authenticate the existence of a particular species. In the present work, the chromosome complement and meiotic processes of a predatory bombardier beetle Pherosophus catoirai were investigated. This species presented 2n=35 as diploid chromosome number and the chromosomal formula was found to be 12m+8sm+12st+X0. Sex mechanism was X0 type with metacentric X chromosome. Y chromosome was absent in this species. Karyotype revealed small chromosomes except X chromosome which is found to be largest in the spermatogonial metaphase stage. Meiotic stages were pachytene, diplotene, diakinesis and metaphase-I. Present study may find importance to analyse evolution of chromosomes in order Coleoptera particularly in family Carabidae.

Survey and population dynamics of cereal aphids and their common natural enemies inhabiting wheat crop in Hail region, Saudi Arabia

AbstractCereal aphids are known as serious pests that cause considerable yield losses of wheat production. In this study, cereal aphids and their common natural enemies inhabiting the commercial wheat crop were investigated between February and April 2013 as a preliminary study in the Hail region, northern Saudi Arabia. Results showed that wheat crops were infested by four aphid species including the Russian wheat aphid Diuraphis noxia Kurdjumov, the English grain aphid Sitobion avenae Fabricius, the bird cherry‐oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi L. and the greenbug aphid Schizaphis graminum Rondani (Homoptera: Aphididae). The Russian wheat aphid D. noxia, however, was the most abundant species compared to other aphid species, totaling 343 individuals which represented 39.80% of all cereal aphids. The results showed a diverse community of specialist natural enemies that were associated aphids including parasitoid wasps as a complex and one Braconid species Aphidius matricariae Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), three coccinellid species (Adonia variegate Goeze, Coccinella quinquepunctata L. and Coccinella septimpunctata L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), one species of lacewing Chrysopa sp. (adults & larvae) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and one species of hoverfly Eristalinus aeneus Scop. (adults and larvae) (Diptera: Syrphidae). This study, also, recorded a high abundance of polyphagous predators that included two species of ground beetles involving the black beetle Calosoma olivieri Dejean and Calosoma imbricatum Klug (Coleoptera: Carabidae), and spiders (Araneae) as generalist natural enemies of cereal aphids. In this article, population dynamics of captured cereal aphids and their common natural enemies, and their correlations will be described and discussed.

THE INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT PHYTOPROTECTION SYSTEMS ON ENTOMOFAGE FAUNA IN APPLE PLANTATION

The paper presents data on the diversity of entomophagous fauna in an ecologically managed apple plantation, as well as aspects regarding the differences found in the structure of the entomophagous complex in three variants of phytoprotection technologies: "Ecological", "Biotechnical" and "Chemical standard". The study was carried out during the years 2019-2020, at the Research Institute for Fruit Growing Pitesti, in a plot aged 12 years. The evaluations were performed both in the field, visually and in the laboratory, at binocular magnifier. As a result of this study, a number of 6 species of predatory insects were identified: Chrysopa carnea, Coccinella septempunctata, Adalia decempunctata, Anthocoris sp., Phytoseiulus persimilis and Aphidoletes aphidimyza, were mainly from the Orders Mesostigmata, Coleoptera, Neuroptera, Diptera and Hemiptera.

Highly Variable Dietary RNAi Sensitivity Among Coleoptera.

Many herbivorous beetles (Order Coleoptera) contribute to serious losses in crop yields and forest trees, and plant biotechnology solutions are being developed with the hope of limiting these losses. Due to the unprecedented target-specificity of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), and its utility in inducing RNA interference (RNAi) when consumed by target pest species, dsRNA-based plant biotechnology approaches represent the cutting edge of current pesticide research and development. We review dietary RNAi studies in coleopterans and discuss prospects and future directions regarding RNAi-based management of coleopteran plant pests. Herein, we also provide a balanced overview of existing studies in order to provide an accurate re-assessment of dietary RNAi sensitivity in coleopterans, despite the limitations to the existing body of scientific literature. We further discuss impediments to our understanding of RNAi sensitivity in this important insect order and identify critical future directions for research in this area, with an emphasis on using plant biotechnology approaches.

Nocturnal Coleoptera and Hemiptera Diversity at Giam Siak Kecil Bukit Batu Biosphere Reserve Indonesia

Giam Siak Kecil Bukit Batu is a biosphere reserve which one of its functions is as a habitat for wildlife. However, biodiversity data in the Giam Siak Kecil Bukit Batu Biosphere Reserve (GSKBB-BR) is still very minimal, including insects (Coleoptera and Hemiptera). This research was conducted to determine the diversity of Coleoptera and Hemiptera in the GSKBB Biosphere Reserve, Riau, Indonesia. The research was carried out using an exploratory method using "lights trap". The results of the study found 30 species, from 11 families of the order Coleoptera (23 species) and Hemiptera (7 species) in the GSKBB-BR. The diversity index of Coleoptera and Hemiptera at the observation site was moderate (H = 2.73), with a high evenness index (0.80). Scarabaeidae (order Coleoptera) is the family with the highest number of species found (8 species), while the most abundant species were Tibicen linnei and Pomponia fusca (Cicadidae/Hemiptera). Based on their functional roles, Coleoptera and Hemiptera with the highest number are herbivores (17 species), followed by predators (7 species) and decomposers (3 species). The range of values for temperature and humidity at the research site are in normal conditions. The GSKBB-BR area is an important remaining habitat for wildlife in Riau, including various types of insects (Coleoptera and Hemiptera); whose potential still needs to be revealed, and must be managed properly.