Longhorn Beetle Research Articles

Cytoplasmic incompatibility in the semivoltine longicorn beetle Acalolepta fraudatrix (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) double infected with Wolbachia.

Wolbachia are obligatory endosymbiotic α-proteobacteria found in many arthropods. They are maternally inherited, and can induce reproductive alterations in the hosts. Despite considerable recent progress in studies on the associations between Wolbachia and various taxonomic groups of insects, none of the researches have revealed the effects of Wolbachia on longicorn beetles as the host insect. Acalolepta fraudatrix is a forest longicorn beetle that is distributed in East Asia. In this study, the relationship between Wolbachia and A. fraudatrix was investigated. Out of two populations of A. fraudatrix screened for Wolbachia using the genes ftsZ, wsp, and 16S rRNA, only one of the populations showed detection of all three genes indicating the presence of Wolbachia. Electron microscopy and fluorescent in situ hybridization also confirmed that the A. fraudatrix population was infected with Wolbachia. Sequencing the wsp genes derived from single insects revealed that two strains of Wolbachia coexisted in the insects based on the detection of two different sequences of the wsp gene. We designated these strains as wFra1 and wFra2. The bacterial titers of wFra1 were nearly 2-fold and 3-fold higher than wFra2 in the testes and ovaries, respectively. The two strains of Wolbachia in the insects were completely eliminated by rearing the insects on artificial diets containing 1% concentration of tetracycline for 1 generation. Reciprocal crosses between Wolbachia-infected and Wolbachia-uninfected A. fraudatrix demonstrated that only eggs produced by the crosses between Wolbachia-infected males and Wolbachia-uninfected females did not hatch, indicating that Wolbachia infecting A. fraudatrix causes cytoplasmic incompatibility in the host insect. This is the first report showing the effect of Wolbachia on reproductive function in a longicorn beetle, A. fraudatrix.

Identification and Expression Profile of Chemosensory Receptor Genes in Aromia bungii (Faldermann) Antennal Transcriptome.

Simple SummaryThere are many chemosensory receptor genes involved in insect chemodetection, including odorant receptors (ORs), gustatory receptors (GRs) and ionotropic receptors (IRs). In contrast to the well-studied Lepidoptera chemosensory receptor genes, the molecular mechanisms of olfactory sensing in Coleoptera are much less understood. The olfactory system plays a crucial role in insect survival. Understanding the olfactory mechanism of insects in depth might provide theoretical guidance for the development of effective pest control measures. The red-necked longicorn beetle, Aromia bungii (Faldermann) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), is a wood-boring pest. In order to increase our understanding of the chemosensory receptor genes of the beetle, we first analyzed the transcriptome data of adult A. bungii antennae using bioinformatics, followed by the screening and identification of chemosensory receptor genes. Then, the expression of the chemosensory receptor genes of both male and female adults was examined using qRT-PCR. These findings will provide valuable information for the analysis of the role of chemosensory receptor genes in A. bungii.The red-necked longicorn beetle, Aromia bungii (Faldermann) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), is a major destructive, wood-boring pest, which is widespread throughout the world. The sex pheromone of A. bungii was reported earlier; however, the chemosensory mechanism of the beetle remains almost unknown. In this study, 45 AbunORs, 6 AbunGRs and 2 AbunIRs were identified among 42,197 unigenes derived from the antennal transcriptome bioinformatic analysis of A. bungii adults. The sequence of putative Orco (AbunOR25) found in this study is highly conserved with the known Orcos from other Coleoptera species, and these Orco genes might be potentially used as target genes for the future development of novel and effective control strategies. Tissue expression analysis showed that 29 AbunOR genes were highly expressed in antennae, especially in the antennae of females, which was consistent with the idea that females might express more pheromone receptors for sensing pheromones, especially the sex pheromones produced by males. AbunOR5, 29, 31 and 37 were clustered with the pheromone receptors of the cerambycid Megacyllene caryae, suggesting that they might be putative pheromone receptors of A. bungii. All six AbunGRs were highly expressed in the mouthparts, indicating that these GRs may be involved in the taste perception process. Both AbunIRs were shown to be female-mouthparts-biased, suggesting that they might also be related to the tasting processes. Our study provides some basic information towards a deeper understanding of the chemosensing mechanism of A. bungii at a molecular level.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the Hsp gene superfamily in Asian long-horned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis)

The environmental adaptability of insects has been a key focus of ecological research. As molecular chaperones, Heat shock proteins (Hsps) play an important role in insect responses to environmental stress. Anoplophora glabripennis is a destructive pest of broad-leaved trees such as poplars. The ability to adapt to low temperature is an important factor for successful colonization of A. glabripennis in new diffusion area. However, the roles of Hsp in the stress responses in A. glabripennis have not been established. In this study, we identified 47 Hsp genes, including 3 Hsp90, 14 Hsp70, 9 Hsp60, and 21 sHsp genes. The Hsp gene family expanded substantially in A. glabripennis. The differences in expression patterns may be related to the type and intensity of stress. Larval overwintering transcriptomes showed that 13 Hsp genes were not induced during overwintering and 21 Hsp genes were involved in the regulation of life activities under non-stress conditions. In a quantitative RT-PCR analysis, AglaHsp90-2 responded more quickly under gradient cooling treatments; AglaHsp90-2 and AglaHsp90-3 were sensitive to treatment at 0 °C for 6 h under instantaneous cooling. Our results provide a theoretical basis for clarifying the molecular mechanism of Hsp genes in A. glabripennis in responsing to environmental stresses.

Dorysthenes buqueti (longhorn beetle)

Dorysthenes buqueti (longhorn beetle)

Trirachys sartus (city longhorn beetle)

Trirachys sartus (city longhorn beetle)

Cerambyx miles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) and Oobius rudnevi (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae): a new host–parasitoid association revealed by laboratory tests and sentinel eggs in the wild

Summary The parasitism of the encyrtid wasp Oobius rudnevi (Nowicki, 1928) on the eggs of the longhorn beetle Cerambyx (Cerambyx) miles Bonelli, 1812, is recorded for first time through field and laboratory trials. Field trials with sentinel eggs of C. miles were conducted in SW Spain oak forests in which O. rudnevi was known to occur, using as positive controls sentinel eggs of both Cerambyx (Cerambyx) cerdo Linnaeus, 1758, and Cerambyx (Cerambyx) welensii (Küster, 1845), the only two O. rudnevi hosts known to date. Laboratory assays were conducted using non-choice tests and choice tests (C. miles vs. C. cerdo). Results showed that C. miles eggs were attacked and successfully parasitised by O. rudnevi in the wild, uncorrected parasitism rates (PU) being similar to those of C. cerdo and C. welensii (2.2–5.2%), and net parasitism rates (PN) even significantly higher in C. miles (8.9%) than in C. welensii (3.3%). Interestingly, C. miles sentinel eggs were parasitised in holm oak forests in which C. miles was unknown to occur, suggesting that egg-derived volatile cues were important in host location. In the laboratory, non-choice tests showed no differences in PN among C. miles, C. cerdo and C. welensii (80–88%), signifying that O. rudnevi performed alike in the three hosts. Choice tests showed that O. rudnevi did not exhibit host preference between C. miles (53%) and C. cerdo (47%). Similar tests proved that eggs of Cerambyx (Microcerambyx) scopolii Fuessly, 1775, and Prinobius myardi Mulsant, 1842, were never selected as hosts by O. rudnevi. Our results and the chorological, ecological and phylogenetic available evidence suggest that O. rudnevi behaves as an oligophagous egg parasitoid, which could be associated to other Cerambyx (s. str.) species over the Western Palaearctic realm.

Deux nouveaux longicornes de Martinique et divers signalements des Petites Antilles (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae)

Two new longhorn beetles from Martinique and various records from the Lesser Antilles (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae). A new species of Eburiini is described from Martinique: Pantomallus ravati Touroult & Deknuydt, n. sp. It is compared with the closely related species Pantomallus inermis Fleutiaux & Sallé, 1890, comb. rev. from Guadeloupe. Eburia decemmaculata (Fabricius, 1775) is reported for the first time from Barbados and its presence, until now doubtful, is confirmed in Martinique. A new Acanthocinini, Neseuterpia fiardi Touroult & Poirier, n. sp., is described from the rainforests of Montagne Pelée and compared with species from Guadeloupe and Dominica. Hypsioma grisea (Fleutiaux & Sallé, 1890) is reported for the first time from Saint-Martin.

Bio-inspired non-iridescent structural coloration enabled by self-assembled cellulose nanocrystal composite films with balanced ordered/disordered arrays

Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) is an interesting polysaccharide nanomaterial that can self-assemble into a chiral nematic liquid crystalline structure in aqueous solution, producing brightly structural color upon selectively reflection of visible light. However, till now, only iridescent structural colors can be created by such colloidal array, making it impossible to be used as colorimetric sensors. Here, inspired by longhorn beetle having short-range ordered but long-range disordered microstructures, it is demonstrated to develop low-/non-angle-dependent structural-color CNC composite films through interference against the long-range orders as a result of introducing positively charged poly (dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride) (PDDA). By exploring balanced ordered/disordered structures, vivid angle-independent structural colors are realized, enabling accurate cognition for environmental signals, which is crucial to promising applications in sensing, anti-counterfeit, and decoration technology. • Low-/non-angle-dependent structural-color CNC composite films are fabricated. • Balanced ordered/disordered arrays are manipulated by co-assembly with PDDA. • The composite films can be used as colorimetric sensor.

Asian Long-horned Beetle Scouting

Asian Long-horned Beetle Scouting

New distribution records of Cerambycinae (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in the Brazilian Amazon

We present new records for 42 species of longhorn beetles (Cerambycinae) in the Amazon Region, including the first report of Tomopteropsis cerdai Peñaherrera-Leiva & Tavakilian, 2003 in Brazil (Rondônia). New state records are provided for Amapá (one species), Amazonas (six species), Pará (one species), Rondônia (seven species), Roraima (13 species), and Acre (17 species). The new records expand the known distribution of the species and illustrate the important role played by inventories like the thematic network “Biodiversidade de Insetos na Amazônia” (Rede BIA) in helping us understand the biodiversity of the Amazon region.

Preliminary report on distribution, infestation, and feeding plants of the alien longhorn beetle Apriona swainsoni swainsoni (Hope, 1840) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae, Lamiinae) discovered from Fukushima Prefecture, Japan

Preliminary report on distribution, infestation, and feeding plants of the alien longhorn beetle <i>Apriona swainsoni swainsoni</i> (Hope, 1840) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae, Lamiinae) discovered from Fukushima Prefecture, Japan

First Report of Dere thoracica White (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae) in the United States, with Notes on Its Discovery, Recognition, Biology, and Habits

Dere thoracica White, a cerambycine longhorned beetle native to eastern Asia, is newly reported from Georgia, USA, where an established population was detected. A single female was collected in a flight intercept trap in Clarke County during early 2020, and 292 adults were excavated from their pupal chambers or reared from dead branches of mimosa tree, Albizia julibrissin Durazz. (Fabaceae), during early 2021. These are the first records of the genus and species in the Nearctic Region. Dere thoracica is considered to be a generalist dependent on recently dead or dying trees. It can be easily distinguished from the native Georgia fauna of longhorned beetles, and we have provided a description and diagnosis to differentiate it from one similar species.

Degradation of White Birch Shelterbelts by the Attack of White-Spotted Longicorn Beetles in Central Hokkaido, Northern Japan

A widespread decline of white birch (Betula platyphylla var. japonica) shelterbelts was observed in central Hokkaido, Japan. Many exit holes bored by white-spotted longicorn beetles (Anoplophora malasiaca) were found at the base of the trunks of trees in these stands. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of infestation on the degradation, and demonstrates whether the number of exit holes (Nholes) can be used as an index of the decline of trees. We selected 35 healthy appearing stands and 16 degraded stands in the study area. A generalized linear mixed model with zero inflation revealed that Nholes of standing dead trees tended to be greater than that of living trees, and the tree vigor decreased with increasing Nholes. These results implied that the degradation of the shelterbelts was caused by the beetle. We also found size-dependent mortality, i.e., only a few larvae can cause the death of smaller trees, but not larger trees. Furthermore, evaluation of the degradation at the stand level (Nholes) using a logistic regression analysis revealed that the degradation at the stand level could be predicted by Nholes. Our findings can be used as a useful index marker for diagnosing white birch shelterbelts.

Hybridization Potential of Two Invasive Asian Longhorn Beetles.

Simple SummaryHybridization may occur within individuals of closely related species or species complexes that exhibit similar reproductive systems and behaviors and share overlapping distributions. Successful hybridization results in introgression of genes from one species to another and could significantly modify some essential traits of the hybrids. It is, therefore, important to consider hybridization potential especially among exotic invasive species, which may compromise the implementation of management programs. Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) and citrus longhorned beetle (CLB) are high-risk invasive pests worldwide, attacking various healthy hardwood trees. These two species share some similar host plants and overlapping distributions in large parts of their native ranges in China and the Korean peninsula as well as similar reproductive behaviors. Another longhorned beetle species occurs only in Japan but is considered as a synonym of CLB (JCLB). We found a Chinese CLB population did not cross successfully with a Chinese ALB population, but a JCLB population (male) crossed successfully with a Chinese ALB population (female) to produce viable eggs. We also found CLB crossed successfully with JCLB to produce fertile offspring. This raises potential concern that invasion of these currently isolated species or subspecies into the same regions may facilitate potential inter- or intra-specific hybridization.The Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) and citrus longhorned beetle (CLB), Anoplophora chinensis (Förster) (both Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae), are high-risk invasive pests that attack various healthy hardwood trees. These two species share some similar host plants and overlapping distributions in large parts of their native ranges in China and the Korean peninsula as well as similar reproductive behaviors. The original Anoplophora malasiaca (Thomson) occurs in Japan and has been synonymized as CLB (hereafter referred to JCLB). In this study, a 30-min behavioral observation of paired adults, followed by a four-week exposure to host bolts, showed that ALB could not successfully cross with CLB. Mating was observed between female CLB and male ALB but not between female ALB and male CLB, no laid eggs hatched. JCLB males successfully crossed with ALB females to produce viable eggs although the overall percentage of hatched eggs was lower than those from conspecific mating pairs. However, ALB males could not successfully cross with JCLB females. CLB and JCLB mated and produced viable hybrid offspring and the hybrid F1 offspring eggs were fertile. These results suggest an asymmetrical hybridization between ALB and JCLB, and that both CLB and JCLB might be considered as two subspecies with different hybridization potential with congeneric ALB. Given their potential impacts on ecosystems and many economically important tree hosts, invasion of these geographically isolated species (ALB and JCLB) or distant subspecies (CLB and JCLB) into the same region may facilitate potential hybridization, which could be a potential concern for the management of these two globally important invasive forest pests. Further studies are needed to determine if fertile hybrid offspring are capable of breeding continually or backcrossing with parental offspring successfully.

Longhorned beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) of southeastern Mongolia with particular emphasis on the genus Anoplistes Audinet-Serville, 1833 (Cerambycinae: Trachyderini).

New data on the distribution, bionomy, and taxonomy of the longhorned beetles that occur in the poorly studied region of southeastern Mongolia (mngovi, Dornogovi, and Skhbaatar aimags) are presented together with a list of all taxa that are known from this area. The literature records for all known species from this area were summarized, verified, and mapped. Chlorophorus caragana Xie Wang, 2012 is recorded from Mongolia for the first time. New localities of some little-known taxa that are endemic to Mongolia and adjacent territories, such as Anoplistes halodendri minutus Hammarstrm, 1892, Anoplistes kaszabi Karpiski, 2020, and Eodorcadion gorbunovi Danilevsky, 2004 are given. High-quality stacked images of several unique species, e.g., Anoplistes gobiensis (Namkhaidorzh, 1973), Ch. caragana, and Chlorophorus obliteratus (Ganglbauer, 1889) are presented for the first time along with photographs of their habitats. New remarks on highly complex taxonomic issues concerning some species in the genera Anoplistes, Chlorophorus, and Eodorcadion are also provided.

Longhorned Beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae and Disteniidae) Collected in the Canopy of a Dry Tropical Lowland Forest in Panama

This study characterizes the abundance and richness of longhorned beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae and Disteniidae) collected in the canopy of a dry tropical lowland forest in Panama. The nine tree species sampled included Enterolobium cyclocarpum (Jacq.) Griseb. (Fabaceae), Pseudobombax septenatum (Jacq.) Dugand (Malvaceae), Luehea seemannii Triana & Planch. (Malvaceae), Cordia alliodora (Ruiz. & Pav.) Oken (Boraginaceae), Castilla elastica Sessé ex Cerv. (Moraceae), Anacardium excelsum (Bertero & Balb. ex Kunth) Skeels (Anacardiaceae), Cecropia peltata L. (Urticaceae), Zuelania guidonia (Sw.) Britton & Millsp. (Flacourtiaceae) and Ficus insipida Willd. (Moraceae). A total of 227 specimens of Cerambycidae and Disteniidae were collected. The most abundant species was Trestonia pulcherrima Dillon and Dillon, 1946 (23%), followed by Compsibidion vanum (Thomson, 1867) (16%). The greatest abundance and richness of beetles were recorded in the canopy of L. seemannii (90 individuals = 39%). The presence of these beetles in the forest canopy is associated with their general preference for large trees, highly complex foliar canopy architecture, and the availability of resources for the development and feeding of larvae and adults. Synchronization with plant phenology may explain the greater abundance and richness observed in L. seemannii.

Two Extralimital Longhorned Beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) Collected in New Mexico

Two Extralimital Longhorned Beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) Collected in New Mexico

Interesting species of longhorn beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from china in the collection of S. Murzin. part 2

Interesting species of longhorn beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from china in the collection of S. Murzin. part 2

Phylogenetic Placement of the Plesioclytini (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae)

The tribe Plesioclytini was recently erected for a single genus of cerambycine longhorn beetle. The group was diagnosed from a proposed sister lineage, the diverse Clytini; however, a formal phylogenetic analysis was not performed due to limitations in data availability. Here, we present a phylogenetic reconstruction from five loci, that Plesioclytini is not sister to Clytini, but is instead only distantly related. Subsequent morphological investigations provide additional support for this placement.

Biotic factors damaging forest stands in Gornata Koria and Chuprene Reserves in Western Balkan Range, Bulgaria

AbstractAssessment and monitoring of health status in deteriorated forest stands in Gornata Koria and Chuprene Reserves in Western Balkan Range (Bulgaria) were conducted in 2017. An integrated approach (based on remote sensing technologies and terrestrial validation) was applied. A series of subsequent terrain observations were carried out in both protected areas mainly in dead or in poor health status stands. As a result, sixteen insect species were identified in Gornata Koria and nine pests in Chuprene Reserves. The predominant number of pests included bark beetles and weevils (Curculionidae), longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae), etc. Attacks caused by the European bark beetle (Ips typographus) formed the main disturbance in the Norway spruce forests in both reserves. Ten parasitic and ten saprophytic fungi were identified in the stands of the Norway spruce (Picea abies), silver fir (Abies alba) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica). Among the parasitic fungi, six species were identified as destructive (Armillaria sp., Heterobasidion annosum, Fomitopsis pinicola, Fomes fomentarius, Ramaria flava and Pholiota squarrosa).