Colouration can affect predation risk through camouflage, signalling, or other mechanisms that shape predator perception and decision-making. The Rosalia longicorn (Rosalia alpina), a flagship longhorn beetle of European beech forests, has a bluish-grey exoskeleton with conspicuous black spots, yet the function of this colour pattern remains unclear. We tested whether its blue body colouration is consistent with background matching to beech bark and whether black spotting reduces predation risk beyond that provided by the blue body colouration alone. We measured reflectance spectra of the blue body colouration, black spots and beech bark, modelled chromatic contrasts under avian vision, and deployed plasticine beetle models in three colour variants: black, blue and a natural pattern with blue and black spots. Visual modelling showed that both beetle colours were chromatically distinguishable from beech bark, but black spots had lower chromatic contrast than blue body colouration, suggesting that the black component may match the bark background more closely than the blue component. In the field experiment, attack occurrence varied with colour, sampling session and their interaction. In September, blue and patterned models were less likely than black models to be attacked. Patterned models also received fewer marks than black models. By October, these colour differences had weakened or disappeared. These findings indicate that the blue body colouration and the natural colour pattern may reduce predation risk relative to an entirely black phenotype, particularly early in the season. However, we found no clear evidence that black spotting provides protection beyond that afforded by the blue body colouration alone. Alternative functions of the spots, including thermoregulation or signalling, remain plausible.

Plants emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under stress, generating complex blends that mediate defense and insect host location. β-Ocimene is a widespread stress-associated monoterpene induced by herbivory, mechanical damage, heat, and drought, and influences insect behavior; however, its molecular detection as a kairomone remains unclear. Using the Eurasian longhorn beetle Monochamus sutor, we found that females are significantly attracted to β-ocimene. Antennal transcriptomics and expression profiling identified candidate odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), among which MsutOBP13 showed high binding affinity for β-ocimene. Structural modeling, molecular docking, and mutagenesis identified Phe49 as a key residue for ligand recognition. RNA interference further confirmed that MsutOBP13 contributes to β-ocimene-mediated behavioral responses. These results reveal a molecular basis for β-ocimene detection and identify this volatile as a host-location cue in a wood-boring herbivore.

Functional characterization of chemosensory proteins in Pharsalia antennata with special emphasis on the roles of CSP2 orthologs in pheromone detection.

Vibrational cues in the host location of Bethylidae (Hymenoptera Aculeata).

We present a morphology-based backbone phylogeny of Cerambycidae beetles inferred by parsimony analyses using 77 adult characters scored for 101 species. This phylogeny is largely consistent with recent phylogenomic studies regarding key placements (e.g., Parandrini stat. rev. within Prioninae, Necydalini stat. rev. within Lepturinae, the sister-group relationship of Cerambycinae with Prioninae (including Parandrini), the monophyly of Saperdini, the non-monophyly of some Lamiinae tribes), while differing primarily in the position of Lamiinae. By testing various character and taxon-sampling partitions we revealed that some of the most variable external characters and all genital characters (without exploring aedeagal internal sac) have low phylogenetic signal, but still the more inclusive analyses are the most robust. Across all our analyses, Cerambycidae s.l. are consistently recovered as monophyletic, with Disteniinae stat. rev., Vesperinae stat. rev., and Oxypeltinae stat. rev. placed inside or adjacent to the core Cerambycidae s.s. clade depending on character sampling. Our results highlight the strength of phylogenomics in providing a robust framework for higher-level relationships, but also emphasize that morphology-based analyses remain indispensable for identifying and interpreting the character systems that define those relationships. This study exemplifies complementarity of morphological and genomic evidence, while providing a broad morphology-based phylogenetic analysis of Cerambycidae.

Disteniidae, the closest extant sister lineage to the longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae), represents a phylogenetically important yet understudied group within the phytophagous superfamily Chrysomeloidea. Here, we present the first chromosome-level reference genome for the family Disteniidae, generated for the East Asian species Distenia gracilis (Blessig) using PacBio HiFi long reads, Pore-C chromatin conformation capture, and Illumina RNA sequencing. The assembled genome spans 1.89 Gbp and is among the largest of all cerambycid genomes sequenced to date, with a scaffold N50 of 203.5 Mbp, 97.1% of which is anchored to 10 chromosome-scale scaffolds. Synteny analysis identified chromosome 10 as the X chromosome and corroborates the deep conservation of the X chromosome across Coleoptera. Repetitive elements constitute 66.8% of the genome, and 77,131 protein-coding genes were predicted, of which 33,643 were functionally annotated. As the first genomic resource for Disteniidae, this reference genome provides a critical comparative framework for investigating the origins of wood-feeding evolution and for elucidating the evolutionary history of horizontally-acquired plant cell wall-degrading enzymes in Chrysomeloidea.

ABSTRACTAccurate and rapid identification of insect species is essential for effective biosurveillance, especially with increasing global trade and the spread of invasive pests. DNA barcoding has become a powerful tool for specimen identification, but its reliability depends heavily on the completeness and accuracy of reference databases. Many existing databases remain fragmentary and contain poorly annotated or misidentified records. Here, we present a curated DNA barcode reference library of 4097 DNA barcodes representing 169 species of longhorned beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), a group frequently intercepted in European biosurveillance programmes using multi‐pheromone traps. By prioritizing taxonomic validation and data quality, this library provides a robust resource for accurate specimen identification. Beyond biosurveillance, it also supports ecological research, as cerambycids are valuable bioindicators of forest health. Our results highlight the critical role of expert curation in ensuring the accuracy of barcode libraries used for both pest monitoring and biodiversity assessment.

Summary. The first checklist of Cerambycidae for the Department of Cusco (Peru) is provided, including the description and illustration of a new genus and nine new species: Ankistron ocongate n. gen., n. sp., Anisopodus forsythi n. sp., Sternacutus santiagoi n. sp. and Hyperplatys gorkyi n. sp. (Acanthocinini); Megacyllene skoura n. sp. (Clytini); Colobothea monnei n. sp. (Colobotheini); Estola carmonae n. sp. and Malthonea choquequirao n. sp. (Desmiphorini); and Eranina noei n. sp. (Hemilophini). Additionally, 21 new country records for Peru are reported, along with 78 new departmental records for Amazonas, Apurímac, Cusco, Huánuco and Madre de Dios. Due to the chromatic variations that occur in Cobelura peruviana (Aurivillius, 1920), we have opted to redescribe the species based on a specimen exhibiting uniformly dark femora, which contrasts with the recently illustrated syntype. This may help prevent future misidentifications of the species.

Host alternation is a common behavioral strategy among many herbivorous insects. The mulberry longhorn beetle, Apriona germari is a destructive wood-boring pest. The adults exhibit rhythmic host alternation between feeding and oviposition hosts. However, the temporal rhythm and regulatory mechanisms underlying this behavior remain unclear. In the present study, by observing the dynamics of the numbers of A. germari on mulberry (Morus alba, feeding host) and willow (Salix babylonica, oviposition host) trees in a cage, we first found that both females and males began to aggregate on mulberry trees at dawn. Following 18:00 at dusk, the number of females on mulberry declined sharply, whereas the number of males decreased slightly, with a greater proportion of males staying on mulberry. To investigate the role of host volatiles in regulating the host alternation in A. germari, we then carried out two-choice olfactory assays to test whether the behavioral responses of A. germari to the host volatiles from mulberry and willow twigs differed between 04:00 and 08:00 (dawn, aggregated on mulberry) and 18:00 to 22:00 (dusk, dispersed from mulberry). Males were consistently attracted to the volatiles from healthy mulberry at both dawn and dusk, but not to those from willow. Females showed no attraction to the volatiles from either of two hosts at dawn; however, at dusk, they were significantly attracted to willow volatiles. Furthermore, volatiles from feeding-damaged mulberry trees were repellent to both sexes, particularly to males at dawn. These results indicate that the rhythmic host alternation in A. germari is partly mediated by host volatiles and an unidentified male-produced pheromone may be present in this species. Our findings can deepen the understanding of the host alternation in longhorn beetles, and offer a theoretical foundation for developing semiochemical-based, eco-friendly strategies for controlling this pest.

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Rutpela maculata (a longhorn beetle; Arthropoda; Insecta; Coleoptera; Cerambycidae). The genome sequence is 2,021.6 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 10 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 17.84 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 14,238 protein-coding genes.

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) that are capable of oxidative cleavage of glycosidic bonds in crystalline polysaccharides including chitin and cellulose are widely distributed among organisms. Insect LPMOs belong to auxiliary activity family 15 (LPMO15/AA15) and have been classified further into at least four subgroups. However, unlike LPMOs from microorganisms and viruses, their physiological functions in insects have not been well studied. In the present work, we investigated the functions of two group I LPMO15s, MaLPMO15-1 and PhLPMO15-1, in chitinous cuticle turnover during moulting of two important forest pest longhorn beetles-the Japanese pine sawyer beetle, Monochamus alternatus, and the yellow spotted longicorn beetle, Psacothea hilaris. Real-time qPCR showed a similar pattern of expression of MaLPMO15-1 and PhLPMO15-1 during late stages of development with high levels present at young pharate pupal and young pupal stages and declining thereafter. Injection of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) for MaLPMO15-1 (dsMaLPMO15-1) or PhLPMO15-1 (dsPhLPMO15-1) into last instar larvae of M. alternatus and P. hilaris, respectively, did not affect subsequent larval-pupal moulting and the resulting pupae exhibited normal development. However, the pupae were unable to eclose to the adult stage and died entrapped inside their old pupal cuticle. TEM analysis revealed that, unlike the respective dsRNA for the enhanced green fluorescent protein (dsEGFP)-treated control insects, both dsMaLPMO15-1- and dsPhLPMO15-1-treated pharate adults failed to degrade the endocuticular layer of their pupal cuticle in which the horizontal chitinous laminae remained largely intact. These results demonstrate that the group I LPMO15-1 enzymes play a role in pupal cuticle chitin turnover, which is critical for moulting to the adult. Because LPMO15-1 is highly conserved among many insect species, this gene/enzyme is a potential target for the control of populations of both M. alternatus and P. hilaris as well as other pest insect species.

The morphology of male accessory glands in the Glenea cantor (Fabricius, 1787) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae).

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile, and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain 20L07T, was isolated from the gut of a larva of the red-brown longhorn beetle (Stictoleptura succedanea). The isolate was catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. Growth of strain 20L07T occurred at 10-30°C (optimum, 20-25°C), pH 4-9 (optimum, pH 7), and in the presence of 0-3% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0%). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain 20L07T belongs to the genus Dyella, showing the highest sequence similarity with Dyella silvatica RBB189T (98.8%), D. soli JS12-10T (98.6%), and D. tabacisoli L4-6T (98.3%). The genome sequence of strain 20L07T comprised 4.6 Mb with a genomic DNA G + C content of 60.5%. The orthologous average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain 20L07T and D. silvatica RBB189T were 75.8% and 21.4%, respectively. Additionally, genome-scale average amino acid identity analysis supported the assignment of strain 20L07T to the genus Dyella. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8 (Q-8). The predominant cellular fatty acids (> 10%) were iso-C15:0, iso-C16:0, and summed feature 9 (C16:0 10-methyl and/or iso-C17:1 ω9c). The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipids, two unidentified aminophospholipids, and one unidentified aminolipid. In silico analysis of 16S rRNA amplicon datasets using the Integrated Microbial Next Generation Sequencing platform indicated that sequences closely matching strain 20L07ᵀ are prevalent in soil- and insect-associated environments, suggesting its ecological relevance. Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and genomic data, strain 20L07T represents a novel species of the genus Dyella, for which the name Dyella stictolepturae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 20L07T (= KCTC 8632T = JCM 37315T).

This study presents the results of the longhorn beetle surveys conducted in three protected natural areas in Ecuador. Species collection was carried out in Yasuní National Park, El Pahuma Orchid Reserve and Lalo Loor Dry Forest Reserve in different seasons in the years 2008, 2011, and 2018. A total of 39 species of Cerambycidae were collected across the three protected natural areas. Four of them are recorded for the first time for the Ecuadorian fauna: Achryson surinamum (Linnaeus, 1767); Eburodacrys elegantula Gounelle, 1909; Pantomallus fuligineus Bates, 1872; and Colobothea juncea Bates, 1865.

ABSTRACT Many longhorn beetles display vibrant color patterns that arise from a combination of pigmentary absorption and light interference with photonic structures within nanostructured scales. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the optical properties of the colored scales in 22 species of the genus Sternotomis (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Sternotomini; Percheron, 1836) using reflectance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS). While individual species of this genus have been studied in detail, a systematic comparison of optical signatures and underlying photonic architectures across the entire genus has been lacking. The diversity of color‐producing mechanisms within the genus reveals significant variations in scale structuring and pigment colors, accompanied by noticeable changes in local nanostructural motifs. This study establishes a spectral–structural framework for understanding controlled disorder in biological photonic materials and lays the groundwork for research on the development of biological photonic systems with controlled disorder and diverse optical properties.

Trirachys orientalis (Hope, 1841) is a long-horned beetle widely distributed in China with economic importance and potential medicinal value. In this study, we sequenced and assembled its complete mitochondrial genome. The complete mitogenome is 16,028 bp in length with a GC content of 29.60%, including 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and a control region. We further made the phylogenetic tree on the complete mitochondrial genomes of other 10 closely related species to show their phylogenic relationship. This genomic resource provides a fundamental baseline for future species identification, phylogenetic resolution, and the exploration of its potential utility as a biological resource.

Dastarcus helophoroides is an important ectoparasitoid used in the biological control of longhorn beetles. Its first-instar larvae actively seek hosts and progress through four larval instars before pupation. Throughout these developmental stages, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) plays a pivotal role in initiating and regulating moulting and metamorphosis; however, the specific genes and underlying molecular mechanisms in D. helophoroides remain uncharacterized. In this study, comparative transcriptome analysis across larval development identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with cuticle remodelling, hormone metabolism and stage-specific metabolic and cellular reprogramming. RT-qPCR validation revealed stage-specific expression patterns of 20E biosynthesis and signalling pathway genes, with EcR, Br-C, E93 and HR39 peaking during the larval-prepupal transition, whereas CYP18A1, E74A, E75B, HR3 and FTZ-F1 were highly expressed in early instars. RNAi targeting the eight key genes (CYP315A1, CYP314A1, EcR, USP, Br-C, E93, HR39 and FTZ-F1) severely disrupted metamorphosis and reduced adult eclosion by 47.83-100%. The developmental arrests were accompanied by stage-specific morphological abnormalities, including abnormal pigmentation, wing deformities and malformed prepupae and pupae. This study identifies key ecdysteroid biosynthesis and signalling genes as critical regulators of D. helophoroides development, providing insights into growth regulation and artificial rearing optimization in this parasitoid biocontrol agent.

Anoplophora chinensis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is an invasive, economically important, quarantined wood-boring pest whose long-life cycle complicates laboratory rearing and management. This study investigated the combined effects of artificial diet, chilling duration, and temperature on pupation cues. Adults collected from the wild were allowed to oviposit, and newly hatched larvae were reared on a prepared artificial diet. Larval weight was recorded biweekly to assess growth and mortality. At 12 weeks of age, larvae were subjected to cold treatments at 5 °C or 10 °C for 9, 12, 14, 16, or 19 weeks, then returned to warm rearing conditions to monitor pupation. Additional chilling cycles were applied when necessary. Pupation percents increased with chilling duration, reaching 55% after 16 weeks at 10 °C compared with 16.7% after 12 weeks and none after 9 weeks. Developmental durations were 34.43, 55.93, and 88.65 weeks for larvae experiencing one, two, and three chilling cycles, respectively. Adults body weight was consistently lower than that of field-collected individuals for both males and females. These findings confirm that chilling is essential for pupation cues and demonstrate that both duration and temperature strongly influence pupation success. Importantly, the combination of artificial diet with optimized chilling regimes enhances pupation rates, providing a practical foundation for mass-rearing protocols of A. chinensis to support future research and management programs.

The Queensland longhorn beetle (QLB), Acalolepta aesthetica (Olliff), was first detected in the Puna District of Hawai'i Island in 2009 and has since been observed to attack high value specialty crops such as cacao (Theobroma cacao), breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis), and citrus (Citrus spp.), as well as the culturally important kukui, Aleurites moluccanus. Endemic to the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales, QLB had no pest status before introduction into Hawai'i. To address the lack of basic biological data on QLB, we conducted four pilot experiments to support pest management efforts. These included sequencing the CO1 region of the mitochondrial genome, observing beetle behavior in both a laboratory wind tunnel during scotophase and in the field using harmonic radar tracking, and obtaining QLB spatial distribution data through a citizen science web-based reporting application hosted by ArcGIS Online. Our results place QLB in a phylogenetic context, which will allow the development of diagnostic tools to differentiate QLB from other longhorn beetles. Behavioral observations suggest that QLB are largely sedentary, move mostly by walking with rare flights, and spend most of their time in trees. Citizen science reports suggest QLB populations are highest in May-July, beetle locations are largely restricted to elevations under 500 m, and population expansions are mostly occurring along the coast. These data combined can be applied to pest management efforts for this important and invasive agricultural pest. Further, we hope this interdisciplinary approach can serve as a framework for research response efforts to invasive insects generally.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by deadwood are increasingly recognised as key olfactory cues used by saproxylic beetles to locate suitable substrates, yet their role during colonisation remains poorly understood. To address this, we quantified VOC emissions and beetle assemblages while experimentally disentangling the main ecological drivers of the deadwood volatilome (tree species, sun exposure). We exposed 1200 freshly cut branches of oak, beech, spruce, and pine across Central Europe. To mimic natural variation in deadwood and disturbance, bundles were either sterilised (reducing endogenous fungi), inoculated with a brown rot fungus (Fomitopsis pinicola) or a white rot fungus (Fomes fomentarius), or burned. From each bundle, we sampled 448 substances, 89 of which were identified as VOCs, and reared 134 saproxylic beetle species. Broadleaf and conifer species emitted distinct VOC profiles that matched beetle tree-type preferences. In conifers, bark beetles, longhorn beetles, and jewel beetles were associated with different chemical cues, whereas taxonomic separation was not observed in broadleafs. Although treatments altered VOC composition, they did not explain beetle colonisation. Our study shows that VOCs emitted during early decay are associated with distinct beetle assemblages. The VOC composition varied with tree species and treatments, indicating that chemical variation reflects the influence of multiple ecological factors. These findings suggest that tree-species diversity enhances chemical heterogeneity in deadwood, which is linked to broader beetle assemblages. Forest conservation efforts may therefore need to consider the role of chemical variation in deadwood, as it could influence saproxylic colonisation and biodiversity management.