June Beetle Research Articles

First Record of Leucopholis lepidophora Blanchard, 1850 (Scarabaeidae; Melolonthinae) from Western Himalayas along with a Checklist of the Genus Leucopholis from India

Melolonthinae is a subfamily of June beetles and contains many species of agronomic importance in India. It holds major genera like Brahmina (Blanchard 1850), Eotrichia (Medvedev 1951), Holotrichia (Hope 1837) and Sophrops (Fairmaire 1887) in India. A survey based on light trap collection was conducted in the terai foot hills of the Western Himalaya in Uttarakhand to check for the presence of the species. During surveys in the years 2021-22 and 2022-23, various chafer beetles were collected to observe the distribution pattern and their hosts. Among these various species, one beetle species is here reported for the first time i.e., Leucopholis lepidophora Blanchard, 1850, from Uttarakhand, India. This also represents their first record for Western Himalaya. Their habitus and male genitalia are provided herein to aid in identification. A preliminary checklist of Indian Leucopholis is also provided.

Field testing of a new-designed light trap for mass-trapping of May–June beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in horticultural areas

Field testing of a new-designed light trap for mass-trapping of May–June beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in horticultural areas

First Record of Three Species of Genera Panotrogus Reitter, 1902 and Pseudopanotrogus Petrovitz, 1969 (Coleoptera; Scarabaeidae; Rhizotrogini) from India

Tribe Rhizotrogini is a tribe of June beetle containing many species of agronomic importance in India. It holds major genera like Brahmina (Blanchard 1851), Eotrichia (Medvedev 1951), Holotrichia (Hope 1837) or Sophrops (Fairmaire 1887) in India. A survey based on light trap collection was conducted in various locations of Uttarakhand to check for the presence of the species. During surveys in the years 2021 and 2022, various chafer beetles were collected to observe the distribution pattern and their hosts. Among these various species, three beetle species are here reported for the first time i.e. Panotrogus expansus Keith, 2003, Panotrogus pakistanus Keith, 2002 and Pseudopanotrogus extrarius Keith, 2005 from Uttarakhand, India. This also represents their first record for India. Their habitus and male genitalia are provided herein to aid in identification. A complete list of species from the Himalayan region is also provided.

Determination of Arsenic Species in Edible Insects by LC-ICP-MS.

Edible insects may contain arsenic. Analysis of arsenic species is necessary in order to accurately assess arsenic exposure. An analytical method was validated and used to determine and quantitate arsenic species in edible insects. Arsenic species were extracted from edible insects by heating at 100 °C in 0.3 mol/L nitric acid. The concentration of arsenic species was then determined by liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LC-ICP-MS) using an octadecylsilane (ODS) column with a mobile phase containing an ion-pair reagent. The limit of detection (0.007-0.012 mg/kg), limit of quantitation (0.021-0.038 mg/kg), repeatability (1.2-3.2%), intermediate precision (2.8-4.5%), and trueness (recoveries 97-102% based on spiked samples) of the proposed method were satisfactory for inorganic arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid, and arsenobetaine in edible insects. Total arsenic was detected in all samples obtained in Japan (Asian forest scorpion, diving beetles, giant water bug, grasshoppers, June beetles, mole crickets, male rhino beetle, female rhino beetle, sago worms, and silkworm pupae) and consisted of mostly inorganic arsenic. Beetles in particular showed relatively high levels. Arsenic content varies among edible insect species. Feed control is important, as arsenic concentrations in edible insects may be feed dependent. Arsenic species in edible insects were analyzed by LC-ICP-MS using an ODS column with a mobile phase containing an ion-pair reagent. Inorganic arsenic was detected in most samples, with concentrations ranging from <0.04 to 29.3 mg/kg.

Diversity of White Grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Dakshina Kannada District, Karnataka, India

White grubs, also known as May or June beetles belong to the family Scarabaeidae of Coleoptera. A study assessed the species diversity and distribution of these in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka. Adult beetles were collected with light traps and manually from March to July, 2018 and 2019. The collection of 179 specimens resulted in 17 species belonging to nine genera of Melolonthinae and Rutelinae. Melolonthinae was slightly more speciose over Rutelinae with ten species under seven genera, whereas Rutelinae was represented by seven species under two genera. Overall, Sophrops karschi (Brenske) was the predominant species constituting 40.22% followed by Anomalochela bicolor subsp. belgaumensis Moser and Apogonia sp.1 (10.06% each). More number of species were documented in Belthangady region than Dharmasthala and Vittla. The data subjected to diversity indices revealed low species diversity in terms of evenness as species composition was skewed towards five species viz., Sophrops karschi, Anomalochela bicolor subsp. belgaumensis, Apogonia sp.1, Miridiba excisa and Adoretus versutus, which constituted nearly 79%.

Anthropo-entomophagy: quantitatively chemical assessment of some edible arthropods, bought from an e-shop.

Eating edible arthropods is not associated with rural life anymore. The emerging industry of edible arthropods is trying to change that. The best shopping spot to buy well-known edible arthropods is online today. Consumers can find numerous outlet options to buy edible arthropods from the Internet. With worldwide growing threats to food security, today, gastronomy, especially in western countries, is trying to develop a more positive view to arthropods' nutritional value. In this paper, non-crustacean arthropods (armor tail scorpion, black scorpion, black ant, flying termites, giant waterbug, June beetle, diving beetles, rhino beetles, silkworm pupae, sago worm, bamboo worm), bought from online edible insect market, were evaluated in terms of availability of some hazardous chemical. Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) spectroscopy was used for determining the concentrations of heavy metals/metalloids in the total body of the arthropods. Concentration of the elements (Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Pb) were measured quantitatively in all samples. The results showed that the chemicals like Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, and Pb have highly been measured in the black scorpion, black ant, flying termites, giant waterbug, June beetle, sago worm, and bamboo worm.

Response of the green June beetle and its gut microbiome to RDX and phenanthrene

Green June beetles are a cosmopolitan pest in the United States. Adults are voracious consumers of tree and vine fruit, while their larvae can damage and inadvertently consume root systems, particularly those of grasses, as they move through the soil and forage for detritus. Larvae ingest and process large volumes of soil while in the process of feeding. Due to their intimate contact with the soil, it was hypothesized that soil contaminants that are known animal toxins would perturb the larval and affect their overall health and survival. Studies of this kind are important contributions to the development of new model organisms and our understanding of interactions between the environment, contaminants, gut microbiome, and animal development, health, and survival. It is important to continue to develop relevant model organisms for monitoring toxicity as regulations for working with vertebrates becomes more prohibitive. In this study, the green June beetle larvae were exposed to the explosive RDX (royal demolition explosive; 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5,-triazacyclohexane) and phenanthrene throughout their entire soil bound development, starting within the first few days of hatching through to their emergence as adults. The overall findings included that even at high concentrations, RDX and phenanthrene (25 ppm) exerted no significant effect on body weight or survival. Also, there was little apparent effect of RDX and phenanthrene on the bacterial microbiome, and no statistical association with measurable health effects. Nevertheless, the green June beetle is an interesting model for soil toxicity experiments in the future as they are easy to collect, house, and handle.

Phylogenomics reveals conservation challenges and opportunities for cryptic endangered species in a rapidly disappearing desert ecosystem

There is growing evidence for the decline of cryptic species across the planet as a result of human activities. Accurate data regarding patterns of poorly known or hard-to-find species diversity is essential for the recognition and conservation of threatened species and ecosystems. Casey’s June beetle Dinacoma caseyi is a federally listed endangered species restricted to the Coachella Valley in southern California, where rapid development is leading to habitat fragmentation. This fragmentation may be disproportionately impacting a wide-range of poorly-dispersing, cryptic species, including Casey’s June beetle, which has flightless females. We characterized 1876 single nucleotide polymorphisms from across the genome along with 1480 bp of mitochondrial DNA of all confirmed extant Dinacoma populations. We found that Dinacoma is isolated into three distinct species, including evidence for a previously undescribed species revealed during this study. Each is restricted to a small part of the inland desert region. Our results suggest unappreciated and fine scale diversity, which may be reflected in the other cryptic species of the region. Patterns of diversity in non-vagile species should guide ongoing conservation planning in the region. These results show that genetic exchange within the one remaining island of beetle habitat (Palm Canyon Wash) is not limited. However, non-vagile species, such as Casey’s June beetle, may not colonize suitable but fragmented habitat islands which presents risks to the species due to habitat loss and periodic natural events that may put the single population at risk of extirpation.

A study on prevalence of the practice of entomophagy in Upper Brahmaputra Valley of Assam, North-East India

The survey was conducted in four districts of Brahmaputra valley of Assam regarding the prevalence of entomophagy. The survey was conducted in the four districts of Assam; Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar and Jorhat using questionnaire method. The study was conducted investigating the local names of the insects, stage of consumption, mode of consumption, their utility as food and medicine and their availability. Insects were also collected, preserved, identified and stored for further study on their nutritional content. During the present study, 17 species of insects were recorded to be consumed as food, out of which 4 species of edible insects are used for therapeutic purposes viz., red ant larva brood, wasps, desert locust and honey bee. The 17 species belonged to six orders, 12 families and 17 genera. They are pupae of Eri Silk Worm (Philosomia ricini), Muga Silk Worm (Antherea assama) and Mulberry silk worm (Bombyx mori), House cricket (Acheta domestica), Broods of Honey bee (Apis indica), Wasps (Vespa orientalis), June beetle (Phyllophaga rugosa), Grasshopper, Red palm weevil (Rhyncophorous ferrugineus), broods of Red ant larva, Giant Water Bug (Lithocercus indicus) and Termites (Odontotermus indicus). Edible insects are very nutritious and can serve as potential food, and revalidating this practice may aid in food security. Entomophagy can also provide a source of income for those who breed and rear insects, thus benefiting the economy without degrading the environment.

Effects of Fine-Mesh Exclusion Netting on Pests of Blackberry.

Fine-mesh exclusion netting is a potential alternative to organic and conventional insecticide application to control numerous pests of fruit crops. We tested whether fine-mesh exclusion netting would reduce pest abundance and increase marketable yield compared to organic spinosad insecticide sprays in an organically managed blackberry field. At the completion of flowering, we covered blackberry rows with fine-mesh exclusion netting (ProtekNet) and treated alternating rows with an organic spinosad insecticide (Entrust™). Fine-mesh exclusion reduced green June beetle (Cotinus nitida Linnaeus) and bird presence and marginally reduced Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica Newman) presence on blackberry canes compared to organic spinosad insecticide treatment. Exclusion netting reduced the capture of spotted-wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii Matsumara; “SWD”) in baited traps in the fourth week of exclusion and reduced the overall number of SWD adults emerging from harvested blackberry fruits. Marketable yield in the fine-mesh exclusion treatments was two times higher than the organic spinosad insecticide treatment. These results suggest that fine-mesh exclusion netting is a functional pest control alternative to insecticide treatment for organic blackberry production.

The behaviour of Cotinis nitida Linnaeus, the green June beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), on mowed lawns makes them especially vulnerable to bird predators

ABSTRACTMales of the green June beetle Cotinis nitida are regularly attacked by birds as they search for females on lawns but which bird species feeds on the beetle changes from year to year. In 2018 for the first time on a farm in northern Virginia, brown thrashers (Toxostomum rufum) joined blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata) as major predators of the beetles. The two species employed very different tactics when hunting for June beetles, with the thrashers searching while walking forward on the mowed lawn while the jays scanned for beetles when perched in trees about the lawn. The beetles became very scarce at the lawn in early July in 2017 and 2018 and their predators apparently moved elsewhere. Subsequently, male beetles were occasionally observed patrolling a nearby hayfield in search of mates with rare copulations recorded after July 15. Because predatory birds could not exploit the beetles in the tall grass of the hayfield it seems likely that the mowed lawn constituted an evolutionarily novel ecological trap which made searching beetles conspicuous and easily captured by beetle-hunting birds.

Drivers of entomopathogenic fungi presence in organic and conventional vineyard soils

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are important antagonists of soil-dwelling insect pests adapted to living in agricultural soils. Little is known about EPF in vineyards, where they could be effective against soil-borne pests such as grapevine phylloxera or larvae of the June beetle. However, the high frequency of fungicide applications might reduce the effectiveness of EPF in vineyard soils. We compared effects of organic and conventional management, fungicide applications and soil parameters on natural occurrence of EPF in vineyards. In 15 pairs of organic and conventional vineyards in Germany, soil was sampled and tested for EPF with a baiting method and subsequent genetic identification. A set of plant protection and soil parameters were measured per site. Three taxa could be verified with Metarhizium being the most abundant one. Presence of EPF in general and of Metarhizium spp. was enhanced by a high C:N-ratio. Differences between management systems were minor, with Metarhizium spp. being more abundant in conventional vineyards. We could not detect a negative effect of fungicides on the presence of EPF. Metarhizium spp. was more frequently detected with increasing copper content of vineyard soils. We conclude that EPF are able to persist even in intensively managed vineyard systems. Thus, it would be worthwhile to further explore their potential for the biological control of vineyard pests.

Dosage Response Mortality of Japanese Beetle, Masked Chafer, and June Beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Adults When Exposed to Experimental and Commercially Available Granules Containing Metarhizium brunneum.

Field-collected adults of three genera of turf-infesting scarabs, Japanese beetle ( Popillia japonica Newman), June beetles ( Phyllophaga spp.), and masked chafers ( Cyclocephala spp.), were exposed to experimental and commercial granule formulations of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium brunneum (Petch) strain F52 to determine their relative susceptibility. Experimental granules contained microsclerotia produced by liquid fermentation with the ability to produce fresh conidia when rehydrated and commercial granules were Met 52 granular bioinsecticide. All three groups of scarab adults showed a positive dosage response to the fungus when exposed in cups of potting mix treated with the granules. LC 50 values for microsclerotia granules were 1.9 × 10 7 , 7.1 × 10 6 , and 3.2 × 10 6 conidia cup -1 for P. japonica , Phyllophaga spp., and Cyclocephala spp., respectively. LC 50 values for Met 52 granules were 5.9 × 10 7 , 5.1 × 10 7 , and 7.6 × 10 6 conidia cup -1 , respectively. The experimental granules containing microsclerotia show promise as a viable commercial control agent. They can be produced using lower cost fermentation methods and applied at lower dosages (97 g for 100 m 2 as opposed to 489 g per 100 m 2 for Met 52). If M. brunneum is applied to control the aforementioned white grubs, our data indicate the potential for the adult beetles to also be infected as they enter the soil to lay eggs.

Predicting Emergence in a Midwestern Population of the Green June Beetle,Cotinis nitida(L.) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Green June beetle, Cotinis nitida (L.), is an important pest of grapes, peaches, blackberries, blueberries, apples, and pears, yet cumulative degree days that this species requires for outbreak have not been delineated. We monitored green June beetle populations in Mountain Grove, Missouri, USA, for five consecutive years (2009–2013) using traps baited with isopropanol. Our results show that cumulative degree day (CDD) calculation with starting point of March 1st, single sine method of calculation, and 10°C as the base temperature may be used for forecasting green June beetle population dynamics. Five year average ± SE was 888.96 ± 36.78 CDD for the first catch of the green June beetle and 1237.68 ± 25.31 CDD for peak trap catch. Our data also suggest that in the relatively rainy environment in Mountain Grove, the departures from the five year average observed in a given year were not correlated with precipitation preceding the first flight and peak activity of green June beetle populations.

The green June beetle (Cotinis nitida) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae): local variation in the beetle’s major avian predators and in the competition for mates

The green June beetle (Cotinis nitida) was observed in northern Virginia for a second and third flight season. The study yielded some results that were consistent with earlier findings, namely that mate-locating beetles were vulnerable to attack by avian predators and matings occurred primarily early in the flight season. Novel findings included the following: (1) blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata) were the major predators, not common grackles (Quiscalus quiscala), (2) some jays appeared to selectively prey on female beetles, (3) competition for mates among male beetles could be so intense that some males attempted to copulate with already mated (unreceptive) females, and (4) the sex ratio of the beetle population feeding on wild blackberries remained near equality late in the flight season despite the fact that the sex ratio of the population of beetles at the emergence site became highly female-biased over time.

Two New Species ofPhyllophagaHarris (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae: Melolonthinae) from Oaxaca, Mexico

Abstract. Descriptions of two new species of June beetles from Mexico are presented: Phyllophaga (Listrochelus) herminiae, found at Teposcolula, Mixteca region, Oaxaca (2,180 m altitude); and P. (Phyllophaga) jorgevaldezi, from San Nicolas Yaxe, Central Valleys region, Oaxaca (1,550 m altitude). Images of diagnostic characters and comments about differences among the new and other Mexican species of Phyllophaga are included.

The mating system and parental behaviour of the green June beetle (Cotinis nitida Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) are exploited by avian predators

Males of the green June beetle (Cotinis nitida) search for females emerging from lawns. Upon detecting the female sex pheromone, a male will eventually drop down close to his potential mate. He then walks rapidly through the grass until he locates the female at which time he mounts his partner. If two or more males arrive more or less simultaneously, the first male to reach the female becomes her mate. The fight pattern of searching males makes them vulnerable to predatory common grackles (Quiscalus quiscala) and blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata), which attack flying or recently landed beetles. Later in the flight season, females flying low in a search for oviposition sites in the lawn are also targeted by grackles and blue jays, demonstrating that both sexually selected behaviour and naturally selected parental behaviour carry fitness costs for green June beetles.

Inexpensive Trap for Monitoring the Green June Beetle

Green June beetle, Cotinis nitida (L.), is an important pest of grapes, peaches, blackberries, blueberries, apples, and pears. Currently, there is no inexpensive, commercially available lure or trap that could serve monitoring green June beetle adults. The objective of this study was to develop and optimize an inexpensive bottle trap baited with isopropanol to attract and capture green June beetle adults. Bottle traps baited with 8 mm diameter cotton wicked dispensers emitted from 9 to 43 ml isopropanol in 48 h and maintained that alcohol at a fairly constant concentration compared with the prototypical bottle trap with large surface evaporation of isopropanol poured into the bottom of the trap. Over 5 d, the isopropanol in the wicked dispensers remained at the same stable concentration of 45-44.5%, whereas isopropanol concentration in the bottom of prototypical traps dropped from 45% to approximately 11% after 24 h and to 0.2% by 48 h. Bottle traps with isopropanol dispensers and cotton wicks of 4, 6, or 8 mm in diameter caught significantly more green June beetles than did prototypical bottle traps with no dispensers. Isopropanol concentrations of 45.5, 66, and 91% attracted more green June beetle adults than the lower concentrations. Significantly more green June beetle adults were attracted to traps with dispensers set at 1.3 m height than those at lower heights, and traps topped with a blue, orange, or white band captured more green June beetle adults than those with bands of other colors. The optimized bottle trap is made from recycled transparent polyethylene terephthalate beverage bottle (710-ml; 24 oz.) with a blue, orange, or white band, baited with an 8 mm cotton wick dispenser of 45.5% isopropanol and hung at a height of 1.3 m. Cost and uses for this trap are discussed.

The effect of different entomopathogens on white grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in an organic hay-producing grassland

In 2011, a field block trial examined the biological control of white grubs of June beetle (Amphimallon solstitialis), margined vine chafer (Anomala dubia) and garden chafer (Phyllopertha horticola) on a permanent cut grassland in Gotenica (SE Slovenia). The efficacy of Beauveria brongniartii, Beauveria bassiana, Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora in the form of water suspension and infested grain was tested against a control treatment. The initial number of white grubs (April 12; 39 white grubs/m2) was reduced with all tested entomopathogens up until the third evaluation (May 26; 32 white grubs/m2). However, the studied treatments were not sufficient to reduce the white grub population in the soils below the economical threshold (20 individuals/m2). The average number of white grubs was affected mostly by the treatment where the active ingredient was B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki. With one application in April, only the abundance of overwintered white grubs was reduced. To decrease the summer generation of white grubs, an application of biological agents is also required at a later time. The 8% higher dry matter yield at the first cut (June 10) compared to the second cut (September 6) provided evidence for the prior statement.

Locomotion response of airborne, ambulatory and aquatic insects to thermal stimulation using piezoceramic microheaters

This paper reports the locomotion response of airborne, ambulatory and aquatic insects to thermal stimulation. A finite element model has been developed to predict the variation of insect–stimulator interface temperature with input power. Piezothermal stimulators have been fabricated from lead zirconate titanate (PZT) using a batch mode micro ultrasonic machining process. Typical sizes range from 200 µm to 3.2 mm. For PZT stimulators, the temperature and thermal efficiency reach the maximum value around the resonance frequency which is typically in the range of 650 kHz to 47 MHz. Experiments have been conducted on green June beetles (GJBs), Madagascar hissing roaches and green diving beetles (GDBs) in order to show the versatility of the proposed technique. The stimulators have been implanted near the antennae of the GJBs and on either side of the thorax of the Madagascar hissing roaches and GDBs, respectively. In all cases, the insects move away from the direction of the actuated stimulator. The left and right turns are statistically similar. Thermal stimulation achieves an overall success rate of 78.7%, 92.8% and 61.6% in GJBs, roaches and GDBs, respectively. On average, thermal stimulation results in an angle turn of about 13.7°–16.2° on GJBs, 30°–45° on the roaches and 30°–50° on GDBs. The corresponding average input power is 360, 330 and 100 mW for GJBs, roach and GDBs, respectively. Scaling limits of the PZT stimulators for operating these stimulators are also discussed.