Families Of Coleoptera Research Articles

The first complete mitochondrial genome of the genus Homoderus and insights into phylogeny of Lucanidae (Coleoptera: Lucanidae)

Homoderus mellyi belongs to the Lucanidae family of Coleoptera. The first complete mitogenome of Homoderus is reported in this paper. The genome is 16,807 bp in length and contains the typical 37 genes with 22 transfer RNA genes, 13 protein coding genes, and 2 ribosomal RNA genes. The gene order is conserved across the lineage. The average base composition of the mitogenome is 36.6% for A, 20.8% for C, 11.6% for G, and 31.1% for T. The percentage of GC is 32.3%. The genome organization, nucleotide composition, and codon usage are similar to other beetles. Phylogenetic analysis shows that Lucanidae is monophyletic, and all subfamilies are monophyletic, respectively. The phylogenetic position of H. mellyi is consistent with other research.

Occurrence of Cteisa hirta Solier, 1835 (Tenebrionidae, Alleculinae) in an abandoned nest of a social wasp (Vespidae: Polistinae)

Abandoned nests of social wasps (Vespidae: Polistinae) are often occupied by other arthropods such as ants, spiders, termites, bees, and solitary wasps. However, there are no records of any species of Coleoptera occupying these structures. Therefore, this work aims to report the occurrence of a beetle in an abandoned nest of a social wasp. The presence of the beetle Cteisa hirta (Tenebrionidae, Alleculinae) was observed in a nest of the genus Polistes, at IFMG - Campus Bambuí on March 9, 2023. As only one nest was recorded with the presence of a beetle, it can be suggested that this occupation is casual, but further studies need to be carried out to confirm that the use of abandoned nests by Tenebrionidae, or another family of Coleoptera, is not frequent.

Effects of insecticide spray drift on arthropod prey resources of birds in grasslands in Minnesota

AbstractSoybean aphid (Aphis glycines) insecticides are used throughout the Upper Midwest and Great Plains regions of North America, including the farmland region of Minnesota, USA, to combat insect pests. These broad‐spectrum, foliar spray insecticides have the potential to drift beyond target fields into nearby grassland cover where birds and other insectivores forage. Arthropods serve important roles in grassland ecology and are susceptible to mortality and sublethal effects from exposure to these pesticides. Our objective was to assess effects of soybean aphid insecticides on grassland arthropods, especially those that are important in grassland bird diets. We measured the abundance, consumable biomass, and family richness of insects and spiders in grasslands adjacent to soybean fields in an agricultural landscape. Soybean fields were treated with chlorpyrifos and lambda‐cyhalothrin, which were the 2 most common foliar pesticides used to control soybean aphids in Minnesota. We compared measures at focal sites to samples collected at reference sites adjacent to corn fields not sprayed for aphids during 3 periods in mid‐to‐late summer: 1–3 days before spraying, 3–5 days post‐spraying, and 19–21 days post‐spraying. The abundance of arthropods in focal grasslands was lower 3–5 days after pesticide applications. Coleoptera family richness at focal sites was also lower than at reference sites 3–5 days after pesticide applications. These measures 19–21 days after application were similar to pre‐spraying levels, indicating that arthropod populations rebounded during this period. Measures of consumable dry biomass, bird prey abundance, bird prey biomass, family richness of Araneae, family richness of Hemiptera, and family richness of Orthoptera were not different between focal and reference sites after spraying. Our results reveal that reductions in arthropod food abundance for grassland birds are associated with pesticide applications up to 5 days after spraying. We suggest that natural resource managers factor proximity to row crop fields and susceptibility to pesticide drift into decisions about where to add grassland cover to landscapes.

Fauna of some families of Coleoptera (Insecta) in the Republic of Mordovia (Russia).

Biodiversity conservation is an important goal of most ecosystem management efforts. Therefore, proper monitoring of biodiversity requires constant attention. Coleoptera should be monitored as an essential part of the overall biodiversity. Special monitoring is needed for families that are active as predators (e.g. Coccinellidae) or are saproxylic species (e.g. Elateridae and Cerambycidae). The aim of the research is to describe the fauna of seven families of Coleoptera (Elateridae, Drilidae, Lycidae, Lampyridae, Cantharidae, Coccinellidae and Cerambycidae) of the Republic of Mordovia (the centre of the European part of Russia). The results are based on faunistic research, the main part of which was carried out in April-October 2007-2023 and on material from museum collections. The collecting was made using several different methods (by hand, light trapping, on different lures, into pitfall traps etc.). GPS coordinates are given for each faunistic record. The dataset contains information on seven species new to the region: Malthodesflavoguttatus Kiesenwetter, 1852, Malthodesminimus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Cantharidae); Scymnusrubromaculatus (Goeze, 1777) (Coccinellidae); Anoploderarufipesventralis Heyden, 1886, Tragosomadepsarium (Linnaeus, 1767), Xylotrechusarvicola (Olivier, 1795) and Xylotrechusibex (Gebler, 1825) (Cerambycidae).

Children's Ingestion of Blister Beetles Causing Cantharidin Poisoning : Two pediatric cases in Saudi Arabia

Background: Cantharidin, a toxic substance produced by Meloidae (Coleoptera family) beetles, poses serious health risks upon ingestion, including renal impairment, hematemesis, altered consciousness, electrolyte imbalances, and hematuria. Case Report: This study presents two pediatric cases of cantharidin poisoning resulting from biting of Meloid beetles. Case 1 involved a 2-year-old exhibiting hematuria and vomiting, while case 2, a 9-month-old, presented with agitation, lethargy, and hematuria. Both cases required intensive care and supportive management. Conclusion: These cases highlight the clinical manifestations of cantharidin intoxication in children following exposure to Meloid beetles. Early recognition of symptoms, prompt medical intervention, and close monitoring are crucial in managing cantharidin poisoning, for which no specific antidote currently exists.

The insect colonisation, succession, and decomposition of the domestic pig (Artiodactyla: Suidae) in southern Ontario, Canada

Abstract Studies documenting insect succession throughout the decomposition of vertebrate remains have been performed in more than half of the provinces and one territory in Canada. However, some areas are not represented in the current published literature. Ontario is one province that does not have published records of local necrophagous insect succession. Therefore, three studies were performed in Oshawa, Ontario, to document the insect community and primary colonisers observed during the decomposition of domestic pig, Sus scrofa domestica (Artiodactyla: Suidae), remains. Adult and immature specimens located on the remains were collected, reared, and identified. Pitfall traps were installed to monitor insects present outside of visits. Pigs that decomposed in higher temperatures yielded fewer colonising dipteran species than those that decomposed in cooler temperatures. The most common primary colonisers were Phormia regina (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Lucilia illustris (Diptera: Calliphoridae), and Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae). In total, 11 Diptera families, six Coleoptera families, and families from the Hymenoptera and Hemiptera orders were observed. When comparing these results to published results from Québec, Ontario’s neighbour, major differences in primary colonisers can be noted. It is therefore important for researchers to study the succession, development, and colonisation patterns of the local fauna during vertebrate decomposition and to publish their findings.

New records of powder-post beetles (Coleoptera, Bostrichidae) from China.

The Bostrichidae is a small family of Coleoptera, with up to 600 described species all over the world. Almost 90 species of the family have been recorded in China at present and several new species of powder-post beetles have been described in recent years. Since the 1940s, the family Bostrichidae has become a neglected group in the taxonomy research of the Chinese mainland compared with its extensive territorial and super complex ecological diversity. Thus, there is need for more field specimen collection and in-depth taxonomic study. In this study, two powder-post beetles species Trogoxylonspinifrons (Lesne, 1910) and Mintheabivestita Lesne, 1937, are recorded for the first time from China. New provincial distribution records of another 18 Bostrichidae also listed.

Prey choice in insectivorous steppe passerines: New insights from DNA metabarcoding

Food availability plays a key role affecting almost every aspect of bird ecology, including bird population, distribution, reproduction, and behavior. Understanding the functional relationship between prey availability and insectivorous birds’ diet is important in the current scenario of habitat loss and declining of insect and bird populations. We used a fecal metabarcoding approach coupled with prey availability sampling (arthropod abundance and biomass) to test for evidence of selective foraging in a shrub-steppe passerine assemblage over the 2017–2019 breeding seasons in semi-natural steppes of central Spain. The results showed that the six bird species selected specific arthropod taxa. Heteroptera, Orthoptera, Araneae, Lepidoptera and some Coleoptera families were the main selected prey taxa, while Formicidae appeared to be avoided, suggesting that shrub-steppe passerines tend to select prey items providing essential nutrients and energy during the breeding season, while poor quality ones are neglected. Our findings highlight the utility of metabarcoding dietary data to assess prey selection patterns in insectivorous passerines and provide valuable information for the development of conservation and management programs to ensure the long-term availability of crucial food resources for shrub-steppe birds and other insectivores.

Dataset: Biodiversity of Ground Beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) of the Republic of Mordovia (Russia)

(1) Background: Carabidae is one of the most diverse families of Coleoptera. Many species of Carabidae are sensitive to anthropogenic impacts and are indicators of their environmental state. Some species of large beetles are on the verge of extinction. The aim of this research is to describe the Carabidae fauna of the Republic of Mordovia (central part of European Russia); (2) Methods: The research was carried out in April-September 1979, 1987, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007–2022. Collections were performed using a variety of methods (light trapping, soil traps, window traps, etc.). For each observation, the coordinates of the sampling location, abundance, and dates were recorded; (3) Results: The dataset contains data on 251 species of Carabidae from 12 subfamilies and 4576 occurrences. A total of 66,378 specimens of Carabidae were studied. Another 29 species are additionally known from other publications. Also, twenty-two species were excluded from the fauna of the region, as they were determined earlier by mistake (4). Conclusions: The biodiversity of Carabidae in the Republic of Mordovia included 280 species from 12 subfamilies. Four species (Agonum scitulum, Lebia scapularis, Bembidion humerale, and Bembidion tenellum) were identified for the first time in the Republic of Mordovia.

Records of new and rare beetles in Luxembourg (Insecta: Coleoptera)

Twenty species from ten different families of Coleoptera are recorded as new to the fauna of Luxembourg. Another ten species are rarely found, the most remarkable of those included being Calosoma sycophanta (Linnaeus, 1758) previously recorded for the last time in 1915.

Passalidae (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea) from the Caribbean coast of Colombia: synopsis, key, and new species description.

Bess beetles (Passalidae) are a subsocial family of Coleoptera with approximately 1000 known species of saproxylophagous diet and pantropical distribution, with few extratropical species. Because of their high levels of endemism (especially in mountains), feeding habits, and complex subsociability; Passalidae is considered an excellent biological subject for taxonomic, biogeographical, and evolutionary studies. Colombia is the richest country with more than 118 recorded species of Passalidae, most of the species being related to humid and mountain areas. Colombia's Caribbean region constitutes the northern portion of the country, extending for more than 130,000 km2 and includes four of the eight biogeographical provinces of Colombia. Since the 2000s this region has been the subject of systematic surveys for Passalidae; as a result, 18 passalid species have been recorded to date. After new explorations and review of entomological collections, the knowledge of the passalid fauna for the region is updated, recording 28 species (8 new records, 2 new species) for which are provided species diagnoses, photographs, and a taxonomic key. The dry plain, characteristic of the lowlands, is dominated by widely distributed species such as Passaluspunctiger and Passalusinterstitialis, while the mountainous systems provide species of more restricted distributions, some of them endemic to the Colombian Caribbean.

New Records of Coleoptera as Prey of Robber Flies1 in Eastern New Mexico and West Texas

Recent collecting of robber flies and their prey in eastern New Mexico and adjacent west Texas produced 313 specimens in 20 families of Coleoptera being fed upon by more than 44 species in 16 genera of Asilidae. The specimens represent 171 unique predator-prey combinations of which 120 have not been reported previously. The main beetle families preyed upon were Carabidae (26%), Scarabaeidae (24%), Melyridae (15%), Chrysomelidae (14%), and Curculionidae (5%). Only one or two specimens were in each of seven other families of Coleoptera. The main asilid predators of beetles were species in genera Cerotainiops Curran, Efferia Coquillett, and Proctacanthella Bromley. Based on non-Coleoptera prey for Asilidae collected in this study, no robber fly seemed to specialize in beetles. About half of the asilids with beetle prey were collected with only one or two specimens. Corrigenda are provided for prey records previously published by Pollock and Lavigne (2019).

Mediterranean university campuses enhance butterfly (Lepidoptera) and beetle (Coleoptera) diversity

Human population growth is causing an expansion of urban areas, a phenomenon known to deeply impact on the Earth’s biodiversity. Therefore, it is key to understand how to conceal urban development with biodiversity conservation. In this context, university campuses can play an important role as they usually present a large array of different environments and green areas, crucial aspects for promoting urban biodiversity as well as human-nature interactions. Several studies have analyzed the biodiversity of university campuses, however, there are still important taxonomic (e.g., insects) and geographical biases (e.g., Mediterranean hotspot) in our current understanding of these urban areas. Insects are fundamental in many ecosystems as pollinators, prey, pest controllers or decomposers among others. This further increases the need to study this group in the urban context. In this study, we have investigated diurnal Lepidoptera and ground-dwelling Coleoptera in three university campuses and three non-campus areas of the city of Granada (Spain). We used spatial and temporal replicates for each area in order to explore whether university campuses hold higher levels of insect biodiversity (e.g., species richness or common species) than other nearby urban areas. In addition, we investigated the potential influence of several additional predictors on insect diversity such as type of land cover, vegetation origin, management intensity, and distance to the outskirts. Our results suggest that Lepidoptera species and Coleoptera families are more diverse in university campuses than in other urban areas, showing also a positive association with the proportion of bare soil and herbaceous cover. Furthermore, they also seem to be benefited from low vegetation management intensity whereas Coleoptera are favored by native vegetation providing clear management recommendations in order to promote such animal groups in cities. Our study indicates that university campuses are important urban areas to preserve insect biodiversity but also highlights the heterogeneity of response among insect groups.

Annotated checklist of Cerambycidae (Coleoptera: Chrysomeloidea) from the Brazilian semi-arid region, with new species and new geographic records

Cerambycidae is one of the largest families of Coleoptera, with approximately 38,000 species described. Knowledge of Cerambycidae fauna in Brazil has increased in the last 50 years, but some regions, such as the Brazilian semi-arid region, remain relatively unexplored. An updated checklist of Cerambycidae from that region, based on previously published works, checklists, and catalogs, and the study of 331 specimens of 72 species, 58 genera, 26 tribes, and three subfamilies deposited in the collection of the Zoology Museum of the Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana is provided. This list has 633 species, 303 genera, 58 tribes, of four subfamilies of Cerambycidae from 75 municipalities in nine states in the Brazilian semi-arid region. A map illustrating the distribution of the Cerambycidae species in the semi-arid region is also provided. Four new species are described: Eburodacrys boteroi sp. nov. and Coccoderus costae sp. nov. (Cerambycinae); and Aerenicopsis joseferreirai sp. nov. and Pseudomecas mourai sp. nov. (Lamiinae). The new species are included in an identification key to the respective genus. Furthermore, Antodice kyra Martins & Galileo, 1998 is new record from the Bahia State; Chevrolatella tripunctata (Chevrolat, 1862) is a new record to Brazilian semi-arid region; Colobothea rubroornata Zajciw, 1962 is a new record from Bahia State and Brazilian semi-arid region, and Odontocera bilobata Zajciw, 1965 is a new record from the Bahia State and Brazilian semi-arid region. It is evident that some regions in the Brazilian semi-arid region are poorly sampled and new inventory studies must be carried out.

Insecticidal effect of selected medicinal plants on Sitophilus zeamais Mostschulsky in stored maize

The aim of this study was to determine the insecticidal effect and phytochemical analysis of ten medicinal plant extracts against the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Order: Coleoptera Family: Curculionidae) on stored maize by using contact and repellency bioassays together with the evaluation of the Minimum Concentration of Lethality (MCL) of highly active Annona muricata. Out of the ten medicinal plant species tested, methanol extract of Annona muricata showed the highest mortality (100%) within 7 days. Repellency bioassay was done by using a Y-shaped glass tube. Ocimum selloi showed maximum (57.80 ± 21.2) repellency for the Sitophilus zeamais, while Ailanthus altissima and Eugenia caryophylata showed significant repulsion (46.67 ± 17.6) for this insect. The highly active methanol extract of A. muricata at the concentrations of 1000, 800, 600, 400, 200, and 100 ppm was tested against Sitophilus zeamais on stored maize and a 100% mortality was observed at a minimum concentration of 600 ppm. Preliminary results suggest that medicinal plants could be exploited for the isolation of insecticidal compounds. Phytochemical analysis was performed to ensure the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins.

Coleopteran predators of bark and woodboring beetles attracted to traps baited with ethanol and α-pinene in pine (Pinaceae) forests of the southern United States of America

Abstract The effects of ethanol and α-pinene lures on trap catches of forest coleopteran predators and fungivores were evaluated in studies conducted in 2002–2004 to evaluate trap responses of bark and woodboring beetles in the southern United States of America. Traps baited with ethanol, α-pinene, or a combination of the two attracted predator species in six families of Coleoptera. The most abundant species were Coptodera aerata Dejean (Carabidae), Thanasimus dubius Fabricius (Cleridae), Temnoscheila virescens (Fabricius) (Trogossitidae), and Lasconotus spp. (Zopheridae). Most species were attracted by both ethanol and α-pinene lures; traps baited with both compounds generally caught the greatest numbers for most species. There was some evidence of geographic variation in responses to ethanol and α-pinene. For example, catches of C. aerata in ethanol-baited traps were enhanced by the addition of α-pinene in North Carolina but not in Alabama or South Carolina. Catches of Lasconotus spp. in traps baited with α-pinene were enhanced with ethanol in Florida but not in North and South Carolina. The fungivore Pycnomerus sulcicollis LeConte (Zopheridae) was captured in significant numbers in traps baited with α-pinene. Responses of predators to ethanol and α-pinene mirrored those of bark and woodboring beetles captured in these same experiments.

The beetles (Insecta, Coleoptera) of the southwest of Primorsky Krai, Russian Far East.

The article is based on the results of the authors' field studies on the fauna of Coleoptera in the southwest of Primorsky Krai, conducted in 1990, 1999, 2015 and 2017-2022. The collection of material was carried out in more than 150 geographical points in the territories of the Khasansky, Nadezhdensky and Ussuriysky raion of the Primorsky Krai of Russia. In addition, small collections materials stored at the Federal Scientific Center of East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity FEB RAS (Vladivostok, Russia) and Moscow Pedagogical State University (Moscow, Russia) were studied. This is the first generalised list of beetles for south-western Primorye and protected natural areas. A total of 13274 beetles belonging to 629 species from 311 genera and 44 families were studied. In addition to our own collections, the sample includes literature data on 10008 specimens belonging to 355 species from 142 genera and 16 families. This is the first dataset that provides data on the taxonomic composition and geographic distribution with precise coordinates for 47 families of Coleoptera in the southwest of Primorsky Krai, Russia.

Assessment of insect biodiversity on tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) using LED traps

Recently, there has been interest from the scientific community and agricultural producers in finding means of attracting insects using LED-based light traps. The purpose of these studies is to assess the biodiversity of tomato agrocenoses in open and protected ground, to identify the most massive taxa present in agrocenoses using light traps. The studies were carried out in the period from 15 July to 21 July 2021 on tomato in the experimental production plots of the tomato farmer Erokhin E.A. and in the greenhouses of the farmer Tyrtychny S. A. (the village of Strelka, Temryuk district) in the northwestern zone Krasnodar Territory of the Russian Federation. Studies carried out using light traps designed by the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution «Federal Research Center of Biological Plant Protection» (FRCBPP) made it possible to identify the species diversity of arthropods in tomato agrocenosis, to obtain the dynamics of the number of harmful, beneficial and indifferent entomofauna. Representatives of the following orders dominated in number on the open ground: Coleoptera (68–82%), Hemiptera (15–26%) and Diptera (2–6%), while in the greenhouse there were Lepidoptera (39–61%), Diptera (10 –18%) and Coleoptera (10–40%). Representatives of the Lepidoptera families - Cossidae, Noctuidae, Pyraustidae and Crambidae, and the Coleoptera families - Carabidae, Cerambycidae, Coccinellidae, Dytiscidae, Elateridae, Geotrupidae, Heteroceridae, Hydrophylidae, Scarabaeidae were attracted in open ground as well as in the greenhouse.

Dataset: Coleoptera (Insecta) Collected from Beer Traps in “Smolny” National Park (Russia)

Monitoring Coleoptera diversity in protected areas is part of the global ecological monitoring of the state of ecosystems. The purpose of this research is to describe the biodiversity of Coleoptera studied with the help of baits based on fermented substrate in the European part of Russia (Smolny National Park). The research was conducted April–August 2018–2022. Samples were collected in traps of our own design. Beer or wine with the addition of sugar, honey, or jam was used for bait. A total of 194 traps were installed. The dataset contains 1254 occurrences. A total of 9226 Coleoptera specimens have been studied. The dataset contains information about 134 species from 24 Coleoptera families. The largest number of species that have been found in traps belongs to the family Cerambycidae (30 species), Nitidulidae (14 species), Elateridae (12 species), and Curculionidae and Coccinellidae (10 species each). The number of individuals in the traps of these families was distributed as follows: Cerambycidae—1018 specimens; Nitidulidae—5359; Staphylinidae—241; Elateridae—33; Curculionidae—148; and Coccinellidae—19. The 10 dominant species accounted for 90.7% of all detected specimens in the traps. The maximum species diversity and abundance of Coleoptera was obtained in 2021. With the installation of the largest number of traps in 2022 and more diverse biotopes (64 traps), a smaller number of species was caught compared to 2021. New populations of such species have been found from rare Coleoptera: Calosoma sycophanta, Elater ferrugineus, Osmoderma barnabita, Protaetia speciosissima, and Protaetia fieberi.

P070 Antimicrobial peptides from the Coleoptera family Scarabaeidae against Candida and Cryptococcus pathogenic yeasts.

Poster session 1, September 21, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PMObjectivesHost defense peptides (HDP) are produced by a diversity of beetles. The aims of this work were (1) to find new promising peptides from the Coleoptera family Scarabaeidae with potential biomedical applications, (2) to modify physicochemical and structural characteristics of one of the most promissory peptides in order to improve its antimicrobial properties, and (3) to evaluate the in vitro activity of the HDPs against reference strains of pathogenic Candida and Cryptococcus yeasts.Materials and MethodsFrom the Scarabaeidae family transcriptome, 14 promising HDPs were identified. Subsequently, we designed 19 new sequences from Act8 peptide modifying the net charge, hydrophobic angle, and the general composition of amino acids, among other properties, in order to improve the HDPs antifungal activity. The in vitro antifungal susceptibility of the 33 HDPs against C. albicans SC5314, C. krusei, ATCC 6558, C. parapsilosis ATCC 22019, C. glabrata ATCC 2001, C. tropicalis ATCC 750, C. neoformans H99, and C. gattii H0058-I-2029 isolates were evaluated by broth microdilution, with a concentration ranging from 0.19 to 50 μg/ml.ResultsAll 14 peptides identified showed in vitro activity against C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, and C. glabrata. One peptide showed in vitro activity against C. albicans, 6 against C. tropicalis, 11 against C. neoformans and 13 against C. gattii. As well the 19 modified peptides showed in vitro activity against C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. neoformans, and C. gattii. A total of 15 modified peptides showed in vitro activity against C. albicans, and 3 against C. glabrata. MIC ranges per species and per peptide are shown in Table 1.ConclusionsThe HDPs herein analyzed showed a significant in vitro antifungal activity against six Candida and two Cryptococcus pathogenic species. Our findings encourage further work with in vivo experimental models in order to better understand the action mechanisms of these antimicrobial peptides. HDPs from different species are becoming a promising therapeutic alternative in the control of fungal infections.