Curculionidae Research Articles

Entomopathogenic fungi as the microbial frontline against the alien Eucalyptus pest Gonipterus platensis in Brazil

The eucalyptus snout beetle (ESB), Gonipterus platensis, is endemic to Australia but has become a major invasive, destructive pest of Brazilian eucalyptus plantations. Efforts to develop insecticides based on entomopathogenic fungi against ESB are limited by the lack of known virulent strains. We therefore explored the virulence of indigenous Brazilian strains of major entomopathogenic fungi—Beauveria spp. and Metarhizium anisopliae—against ESB adults. We found widely varying virulence and later capacities for conidial production on infected adult cadavers. Two strains stood out, B. bassiana IBCB-240 and M. anisopliae IBCB-364, as especially lethal for ESB adults under laboratory conditions, sporulated abundantly on infected insects, and also outperformed comparable strains used in commercial mycoinsecticides. Notably, B. bassiana IBCB-240 exhibited lower LT50 values at low inoculum levels (≤ 107 conidia mL−1) and smaller LC50 values than M. anisopliae IBCB-364. Taken together, this study emphasizes natural variation in virulence among indigenous Beauveria and Metarhizium strains against ESB adults and identifies fungal strains with superior lethality to existing commercialized strains for managing this eucalyptus pest in Brazil.

First record of the tribe Lymantini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from Dominican amber

ABSTRACT A new weevil genus, Bronchotibia gen. nov. (type species: B. adunatus sp. nov.), of the subfamily Molytinae in the family Curculionidae is described from Dominican amber. The new genus is similar to the Central American genus Theognete Champion, 1902 but differs in the fused antennomeres 10 and 11 without suture, protibiae with large teeth in apical third directed towards the base, contiguous procoxal cavities, and small body size. There is the first fossil record of the tribe Lymantini.

Bazı bitki ektraktlarının Sitophilus granarius (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) ve Tribolium castaneum (Herbst, 1797) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) üzerindeki insektisidal ve davranışsal etkileri

Depolanmış ürünlerdeki böceklerle mücadele oldukça önemlidir. Sitophilus granarius (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) ve Tribolium castaneum (Herbst, 1797) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidea) depolanmış ürünlerde zarar meydana getiren önemli iki zararlı böcek türüdür. Depolanmış ürünlerdeki zararlılarla mücadelede kullanılabilecek alternatif ilaçlara ise her geçen gün ihtiyaç artmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, Achillea phrygia Boiss. et Bal. (Compositae), Prangos ferulacea (L.) Lindl. (Apiaceae) ve Salvia wiedemannii Boiss. (Lamiaceae) bitkilerinden elde edilen bitki ekstraktlarının, S. granarius ve T. castaneum ile mücadelede kullanılabilirlikleri araştırılmıştır. 72 saat sonunda, S. garanarius üzerinde test edilen bitkiler arasında en yüksek kontak aktiviteyi sırasıyla %74 ile P. ferulaceae hekzan, %71 ile A. phrygia methanol ekstraktı göstermiştir. T. castaneum üzerinde en yüksek aktiviteyi ise 72 saat sonunda %42 ile A. phrygia etil asetat ekstraktı göstermiştir. Bitki ekstraktları ile yapılan davranışsal etki çalışmalarında ise S. granarius üzerindeki en yüksek repellent aktivite 24. saat sonunda P. ferulaceae etil asetat ekstraktından (%52) elde edilmiştir. Bitki ekstraktlarının tamamı T. castaneum üzerinde yüksek oranda repellent etki göstermiştir.

Diversity of beetles (Coleoptera) in natural and planted saxaul forests (Haloxylon ammodendron) in the South Gobi Desert, Mongolia.

We investigated species composition and diversity parameters of beetle communities in two planted saxaul (Haloxylon ammodendron, black saxaul) forests in Southern Mongolia. We also studied nearby natural areas for comparison. Beetles were mainly collected by pitfall traps. 1064 individuals of 38 species of 22 genera in 4 beetle families were identified from planted plots. In comparison, a total of 1395 beetles belonging to 40 species of 24 genera in seven families were collected and identified from the natural saxaul plots. The most diverse beetle families were darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae, 18 species) and snout beetles (Curculionidae, 15 species) in planted and natural saxaul plots. We recorded several species (Apatophysis serricornis, Cephogenia chinensis, and Eumylada punctifera punctifera) which are associated with the saxaul tree. A darkling beetle, Anatolica potanini, was the dominant species in both natural and planted plots of the Nariin Zag forest. There were significant differences in the species richness and abundance between the planted and natural plots of the Ukhaa Zag forest. It is possible that the age of the plantation drove the differences. The higher values of diversity indices and species richness in the planted plots can be explained by the presence of rare species, represented by only one or two individuals. The planted plots and corresponding natural plots within each forest were more similar to each other in species composition and abundance than between forests.

Assessment of hemipteran abundance and nature of damage on blackgram (Vigna mungo) in agricultural fields

This study investigates the abundance and nature of damage of hemipterans on blackgram (Vigna mungo) crops in agricultural fields during 2016-2017. Hemipteran populations were assessed across different growth stages of the crop using standardized sampling methods. Results revealed the presence of diverse hemipteran species, with fluctuations in their abundance throughout the crop's development. Nature of damage of the crop was assessed, highlighting potential implications for blackgram cultivation. Insects of 5 families were observed at the time of the study. Mylloceros undecimpustulatus (Family Curculionidae), Nezara viridula (Family Pentatomidae), Riptortus linearis (Family Coreidae), Cletus bipunctatus (Family Coreidae), Aphis craccivora (Family Aphididae) and Empoasca kerri (Family Cicadellidae) represented this order. These insects harmed the plant's three most vital parts such as leaves, pods and flowers. In terms of its presence in the crop field for a longer period of time and the type of harm it caused, Riptortus linearis was considered as the key pest in the study. The relation of occurrence of insects with climatic factors was investigated by Karl Pearson's coefficient of correlation technique; however, the results were generally negligible. The findings underscore the need for sustainable management strategies to mitigate hemipteran-related yield losses in blackgram cultivation.

Patterns of consumption of edible insects among young people in three local government areas in Oyo state, Nigeria

Edible insects are a nutrient-packed delicacy in Nigeria. The study determines the edible insect consumption patterns as well as the associable factors affecting edible insect consumption among young people in Oyo state, Nigeria. Data were sourced from three local government areas in Oyo state; Oluyole, Ibadan North, and Ibadan southeast. A total of 372 pretested questionnaires were administered randomly to young people who were residents in the study area. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple response analysis. The relationships between variables were done by Chi-square and multiple response analysis. The results show that winged Termites, Crickets, Palm weevils, Emperor moths, Grasshoppers, snout Beetles, and Caterpillars respectively were identified as indigenous species mostly consumed by the respondents. Most of the respondents (69.4%) agreed to have eaten insects either in the past or still do, out of which 45.16% of them ate insects before but not anymore. This implies that there was a steady decline in the number of young people that consume edible insects in the study area. Respondents’ choice to eat insects is significantly related to their age and educational level. However, the low level of insect consumption may be linked to the respondents’ negative perception of edible insects and associated constraints such as the seasonal nature of the insects and the poor supply of edible insects. Hence, there is a need to source for ways to make edible insects more appealing to the youths in the study area.

First record of the tribe Madarini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from Dominican amber

ABSTRACT A new weevil genus, Tanyrhamphis gen. nov. (type species: Tanyrhamphis rhadinoalibus sp. nov.), of the subfamily Conoderinae in the family Curculionidae, is described from Dominican amber. The new genus differs from other genera of the subtribe Madarina in the tibiae lacking an uncus and from the genus Conoproctus Lacordaire, 1865 in a more slender body, the base of the pronotum clearly narrower than the elytra, the prosternum with a rostral channel, the absence of ocular lobes, and a thicker antennal club. The specimen is the first fossil record of the tribe Madarini and the second species of Bariditae from Dominican amber.

Identification and genome sequencing of RNA viruses in the eucalyptus snout beetle Gonipterus spp. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

The genomes of two putative new RNA viruses (macula-like virus and bunya-like virus) were identified in total RNA extracted from dead eucalyptus snout beetles (Gonipterus spp.) from a laboratory colony. However, only bunya-like virus was detected in field-collected insects. The macula-like virus has a monopartite single-stranded RNA genome that contains three open reading frames (ORFs) encoding an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), a capsid protein (CP), protein with unknown function. The bunya-like virus genome was predicted to consist of two RNA segments: a large segment (L) encoding a single protein (RdRp) and a small segment (S) encoding a putative nucleocapsid protein.

Estimating defoliation impact of Gonipterus platensis on Eucalyptus globulus stands productivity using a forest simulator based on 3-PG

Growth losses due to insect defoliations are difficult to estimate. The lack of appropriate tools that account for defoliations in growth simulations makes difficult the task of forest managers to project growth, and thus, the expected economic income. The present work integrates defoliations in the 3-PG forest growth model in order to provide a tool that allows forest managers to estimate Eucalyptus globulus stands growth losses under a set of defoliation scenarios by simulating attacks of the Eucalyptus snout beetle Gonipterus platensis. To mimic these attacks, different amounts of the upper third of the canopy were removed, from 0 to 100%, depending on the scenario intensity, and considering only spring season attacks or both spring and autumn attacks in the same year. A set of E. globulus virtual stands, representing a range of site productivities, were submitted to constant yearly consecutive defoliations since age 2 up to 10. Simulation results showed that, for scenarios that removed 50, 75 and 100% of the upper third of the canopy, volume losses averaged 54, 74 and 83%, respectively, at age 10 with just the spring attack, reaching 69, 82 and 88%, respectively, with also the autumn attack. Removing only 25% of the upper third of the canopy produced relevant losses only if the stands were attacked in both seasons. Lighter defoliations tested seemed to have a marginal effect on stand growth regardless of site quality. The tool was also used to evaluate a field assessment methodology of G. platensis defoliation attacks on a set of real stands by comparing observed and estimated volumes at age 10. Estimations showed increasing volume losses with increasing defoliation intensities. When evaluating the field assessment methodology, results suggest that a single field visit to assess the G. platensis attack level in the whole lifetime of a stand is insufficient to make reliable growth loss estimations. The integration of the impact of defoliations in the 3-PG growth model revealed to be potentially useful as a forest management decision tool.

Contrasting Relationship of True Weevils (Curculionidae) and Woody Plants Diversity in Semi-arid Landscape Units.

In general, insect herbivore diversity is positively correlated to plant diversity since plant assemblages structure different microhabitats and provide food resources for such insects. Although poorly studied, insect herbivores in tropical dry forests are positively affected by tree species richness and the structural architecture of vegetation. In this study, we analyzed whether true weevil and woody plants present similar patterns of diversity across different landscape units in a Neotropical tropical dry forests located in Brazil, and if there is a correlation among their assemblages. We used Hill numbers according to species richness and the inverse of Simpson to compare the taxonomic diversity of true weevils and plants in nine landscape units located at the São Francisco river basin in the states of Sergipe and Alagoas, north-eastern Brazil. All trees and shrubs with diameter at breast height (1.3m) ≥ 5cm were sampled, and true weevils were collected using a modified Malaise trap. We used co-correspondence analysis to test if plants and true weevil species tend to co-occur. A total of 538 true weevils from 60 species was collected, and a total of 1419 plants belonging to 49 species was recorded. There is no general pattern of co-occurrence and diversity among true weevils and plants, indicating that the plant community is not structuring true weevil assemblage in the Caatinga. However, there was positive relationship between Sibinia sp4 and Fabaceae-Mimosoideae. These results suggest true weevil-plant relationships in the Caatinga differ from that of more mesic ecosystems. Therefore, we observed that the mechanisms that regulate herbivore-plant diversity relationships do not always follow a positive relationship, as observed in previous studies.

Eco-friendly management of rice weevil, [(Sitophilus oryzae L.) Coleoptera; Curculionidae] in Rupandehi, Nepal

An experiment to manage rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae L. Coleoptera, Curculionidae) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. Gramineae) was carried out at Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS), Paklihawa Campus, Nepal. The experiment was conducted under completely randomized design with seven treatments viz. neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) @ 15 g/kg, tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L)@ 10g/kg, ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) @20g/kg, garlic (Allium sativum L.)@20g/kg, sichuwan pepper(Xanthoxylum alatum Roxb.)@10g/kg, sweet flag (Acorus calamus L.) @5g/kg, and control and replicated three times. The highest weevil mortality of weevils was observed in the wheat treated with A. calamus (98.33%,), followed by N. tabacum (85.67%), A. sativum (73.34%), A. indica (70.67%), Z. alatum (70.34%)and Z. officinale (58.34%). Similarly, the lowest percent weight loss (3.32 %) and seed damage (4.0%) was observed in wheat treated with A. calamus. Moreover, germination (89%) was observed in seeds treated with A. calamus when tested after 90 days of treatment application. Based on weevil mortality and germination test in this experiment, it is found that sweet flag is the best treatment against rice weevil followed by tobacco and garlic respectively. Therefore, these botanicals could be one of the effective alternatives for the management of weevil especially to the farmers who do not use chemical insecticides in rural area of Nepal.

A Modelling Approach to Describe the Anthonomus eugenii (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Life Cycle in Plant Protection: A Priori and a Posteriori Analysis

Anthonomus eugenii Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is one of the most severe pests for sweet and hot varieties of pepper (Capsicum spp.; Solanaceae). The species is distributed widely, principally in Central America, but in 2013 it was detected for the first time in the Lazio region of Italy. Modelling plays a key role in reducing chemical treatments used on Capsicum spp., but reliable predictions of pest populations require adjusted tools, as well as intense knowledge of the insect’s biology and its typical environment. The main goal of this work is to describe the life cycle of A. eugenii with a physiologically based model, which links the population dynamics with the environmental parameters. More specifically, this analysis focuses on the different response of the age-structured model in relation to the development rate function in input. Two methodologies to determine the best representative development rate function suitable for simulations are proposed; the first is “a priori analysis,” whereas the second is the “a posteriori analysis.” Simulations were compared with semi-field data, collected in a controlled experimental greenhouse where A. eugenii developed in varying temperature conditions. Results showed that the model used is adequate to describe A. eugenii population dynamics and highlighted how the a posteriori analysis can be essential to (i) analyze the simulation outputs, and (ii) determine the best representing development rate function, if the a priori analysis does not provide this information sufficiently clearly. Resumen Anthonomus eugenii Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) es una de las plagas mas severas para las variedades de chile dulce y chile picante (Capsicum spp.; Solanaceae). La especie es distribuida ampliamente, principalmente en America Central, pero en el 2013 se detecto por primera vez en la region italiana de Lazio. El modelado juega un papel clave en la reduccion de los tratamientos quimicos utilizados en Capsicum spp., pero las predicciones confiables de las poblaciones de plagas requieren herramientas ajustadas, asi como un conocimiento intenso de la biologia del insecto y su ambiente tipico. El objetivo principal de este trabajo es describir el ciclo de vida de A. eugenii con un modelo basado fisiologicamente, que vincula la dinamica de la poblacion con los parametros ambientales. Mas especificamente, este analisis se enfoque sobre la respuesta diferente del modelo estructurado por edad en relacion con la funcion de tasa de desarrollo en insumo. Se proponen dos metodologias para determinar la mejor funcion de tasa de desarrollo representativa para usar en simulaciones; el primero es “analisis a priori,” mientras que el segundo es el “analisis a posteriori.” Se compararon las simulaciones con datos de semi-campo, recolectados en un invernadero experimental controlado donde A. eugenii se desarrollo en diferentes condiciones de temperatura. Los resultados mostraron que el modelo utilizado es adecuado para describir la dinamica de la poblacion de A. eugenii y resaltaron como el analisis a posteriori puede ser fundamental para (i) analizar los resultados de la simulacion y (ii) determinar la mejor funcion que representa la tasa de desarrollo, si el analisis a priori no proporciona esta informacion con suficiente claridad. Key Words: pepper weevil; Von Foerster’s equation; integrated pest management; alien species; development rate function; physiologically based models Supplementary material for this article in Florida Entomologist 103(2) (June 2020) is online at http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/entomologist/browse View this article in BioOne

On Little-Known Weevil Taxa (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) Described by V.I. Motschulsky from Japan and the Taxonomic Position of the Subgenus Nipponoblosyrus Korotyaev

Lectotypes of Tyloderes nebulosus Motschulsky, 1860, Dermatodes interstitialis Motschulsky, 1866, and Cneorhinus angusticollis Motschulsky, 1866 are designated. New combinations and new synonymies are established: Catapionus nebulosus (Motschulsky, 1860), comb. n. (= Dermatodes interstitialis Motschulsky, 1866, syn. n., = Catapionus gracilicornis Roelofs, 1873, syn. n., = Catapionus subcostatus Formanek, 1922, syn. n.); Dactylotus angusticollis (Motschulsky, 1866), comb. n. (= Blosyrus falcatus Faust, 1882, syn. n., = Blosyrus japonicus Sharp, 1896, syn. n.). The subgenus Nipponoblosyrus Korotyaev, 1996, stat. res. is restored from synonymy and returned to the genus Dactylotus Schoenherr, 1847.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Niphades castanea (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Niphades castanea Chao is an important insect pest on many plants which belong to genus Castanea. The complete mitochondrial genome of N. castanea was sequenced and analyzed. The phylogenetic relationships between N. castanea and other 41 species in the family Curculionidae were reconstructed using maximum likelihood (ML) methods based on the concatenated nucleotide sequences, the phylogenetic analysis showed that N. castanea is closely related to Hylobitelus xiaoi, which is in accordance with the traditional morphological classification.

New synonymy and taxonomic changes in Australian and oriental pin-hole borers (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Platypodinae)

The following new synonymies are proposed: Crossotarsus armipennis Lea, 1910 (= Platypus quadricinctus Schedl, 1962, syn. nov.; = Crossotarsus nitescens Schedl, 1979, syn. nov.); Crossotarsus serratulus Browne, 1964 (= Platypus boettcheri Schedl, 1966, syn. nov.); Platypus quercivorus (Murayama, 1925) (= Crossotarsus brevidens Browne, 1975, syn. nov.). Crossotarsus platypoides Browne, 1955 comb. res., and Platypus lawasensis Browne, 1970, comb. res., are restored to their original genera from their current inclusion in Peroplatypus Wood, 1993.

Efficacy of agrochemicals against Phyllobius oblongus

The contact, residual, and ingestion efficacy of two conventional insecticides was compared with that of another five environmentally friendly agrochemicals in a laboratory for the control of the European snout beetle. Very good efficacy was observed for the conventional product Reldan 22<sup>®</sup> after all types of exposures. The conventional Mospilan<sup>®</sup> 20 SP showed good efficacy after ingestion. SpinTor<sup>®</sup> was very effective 72 h after ingestion and contact, and Siltac<sup>®</sup> EC showed comparable efficacy with conventional insecticides 72 h after ingestion and residual contact. SpinTor<sup>®</sup> and Siltac<sup>®</sup> conform to the principles of organic farming and integrated pest management (IPM) and are able to replace both the tested conventional products in young fruit plantations and nurseries. Pyrethrum PNC – 17, FerrumOil, and Boundary SW did not sufficiently control the beetle.

Little Leaf Notcher (suggested common name) Artipus floridanus Horn (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Artipus floridanus Horn, also known as the little leaf notcher, is a secondary pest of citrus and several ornamental plants in Florida and the Caribbean. This species is in the order Coleoptera, the beetles, and the family Curculionidae, the weevils and snout beetles. It was first described by Horn in 1876 (Poole 1996). https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1264
 Also available at: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/CITRUS/Artipus_floridanus.html

Plant carbohydrate‐active enzymes in bamboo Neosinocalamus affinis: identification, classification and function in lignocellulose biosynthesis in herbivore defence

Neosinocalamus affinis, a type of cluster bamboo, is a good candidate feedstock for biomass energy. In this study, we identified 686 genes as members of CAZyme families in the N. affinis transcriptome. These genes included 222 glycoside hydrolases (GHs), 288 glycosyltransferases (GTs), 64 carbohydrate esterases (CEs), 70 auxiliary activities (AAs), 37 carbohydrate binding modules (CBMs) and five polysaccharide lyases (PLs). Expression profile analysis revealed that several CAZyme genes, particularly GT, GH, AA and CE family members, were up‐regulated after insect infestation. Lignocellulose assays showed that the contents of three components, namely, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, increased after insect infestation. CAZyme genes were abundant in the N. affinis transcriptome and were involved in herbivory response. These findings could be applied to the protection of bamboo against herbivores, such as the bamboo snout beetle Cyrtotrachelus buqueti, and in the development of low‐cost chemical feedstock from bamboo.

Predilection of Chaitophorus populeti and Phyllobius oblongus on four clones of white poplar

The predilection of Poplar shoot aphid (Chaitophorus populeti Panzer) and European Snout Beetle (Phyllobius oblongus L.) in the first and second growing season in two experimental plantations. Four white poplar clones were tested: Villafranca, L-100, L-80, and L-12. The first experimental plot was established at the beginning of 2019 and the second in 2020 near Novi Sad (northern Serbia). Predilection of C. populeti Panzer was performed on three plants per each of three blocks and every of four clones. Predilection of P. oblongus L. was evaluated on all leaves of five shoots on three plants per each of three blocks of every of four clones. According to the results of analysis of variance and Tukey's test for several traits describing intensity of damage and percentage of damaged leaves, there was significant difference between examined clones in prevalence of P. oblongus L. Significantly stronger attack was found for clones L-80 and L-12 than on Villafranca and L-100 in both years on plants in their first growing period. The damage from this pest in second growing period could almost not to be detected. In case of C. populeti Panzer, the prevalence was assessed according to the percentage of colonized shoots. The differences between examined clones were significant only in first growing period in 2019, where the strongest attack was found on clones Villafranca and L-100, and the weakest on clones L-80 and L-12. Results of the study are particularly important in the context of clones L-12 and L-80 performances evaluation, considering that these clones are still in the experimental phase of testing. Likewise, the intensity of attacks of studied pest species suggests that special attention to their presence and spreading should be paid in the first growing season after plantation establishment.

Case 3813 – Acalyptini Thomson, 1859 (Hexapoda, Coleoptera) and Acalyptini Blatchley, 1926 (Hexapoda, Heteroptera): proposed removal of homonymy by emendation of the latter name to Acalyptaini

The purpose of this application, under Article 55.3.1 of the Code, is to remove the homonymy between two family-group names of Hexapoda: the coleopteran tribal name AcalyptiniThomson, 1859 (type genus AcalyptusSchonherr, 1833; family Curculionidae) and the heteropteran tribal name AcalyptiniBlatchley, 1926 (type genus AcalyptaWestwood, 1840; family Tingidae). We propose to adopt the entire type genus name AcalyptaWestwood, 1840 as the stem for the corresponding family-group name AcalyptainiBlatchley, 1926. The senior homonym AcalyptiniThomson, 1859 (Coleoptera), based on AcalyptusSchonherr, 1833, will remain unchanged.