Lyctidae Research Articles

Comparison of Water Relation in Two Powderpost Beetles Relative to Body Size and Ontogenetic and Behavioral Traits.

Heterobostrychus aequalis (Waterhouse) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae) and Lyctus africanus Lesne (Coleoptera: Lyctidae) are distributed mainly in tropical regions. The primary mechanism allowing these beetles to survive in cold and arid habitats beyond the native tropical region is a reduced water loss rate. This study investigated the water relations of these two beetles in relation to their size, ontogenetic traits, and behavioral characteristics to determine how they can survive in desiccated wood. H. aequalis and L. africanus share similar water characteristic with beetles living in desert and woodlands. They have high percentage total body water (%TBW) content (58.38 ± 1.86% to 63.20 ± 1.38%), but low %TBW loss (4.28 ± 1.02% to 48.26 ± 8.28%) due to their impermeable cuticle (cuticular permeability [CP] value: 0-15.57 ± 4.90 µg cm-2 h-1 mmHg-1) at all life stages. Although the larvae of L. africanus exhibited relatively high %TBW loss, they had relatively shorter development times that minimized prolonged exposure to dry conditions inside the wood. The aggregative behavior of the adult could be responsible for maintaining a low water loss rate to compensate for their small body size. In contrast, the larvae of H. aequalis had larger body size and significantly lower CP values, allowing them to survive in the desiccated wood for a longer period of time. These results demonstrate the remarkably sophisticated strategies that insects employ as a trade-off between body size, ontogenetic development, and insect sociality (aggregative and non-aggregative behavior) to maintain their water balance in xeric environments.

Abundance and Distribution of Heterostigmatic Mites Tarsonemus sp., on Wood-Boring Beetles Recovered from Acacia Xanthophloea in Kenya

Heterostigmatic mites (Acari) are usually associated with arthropods, especially insects. Studies on heterostigmatic mites associated with beetles found on Acacia xanthophloea was conducted at Thika, Kenyatta University and Mitaboni, Kenya between May 2016 and February 2017. Damaged log samples of fallen A. xanthophloea were collected from the three regions. Ten beetle species found within the log samples were examined for presence of mites. Three mite species were found attached on the body parts of the beetle. The species Tarsonemus sp., Heterotarsonemus sp., Tarsonemidae(Acari: Prostigmata) and Trichouropoda rackae, Trematuridae (Acari: Mesostigmata: Uropodina) were found to be associated with the families Bostrichidae, Histeridae, Staphylinidae, Lyctidae and Cleridae. The recovered Trichouropoda rackae is a new record for Kenya. Mites host species included Sinoxylon ruficorne, S. doliolum, Xylion adustus, Xyloperthodes nitidipennis, Xyloperthella picea, Lyctus sp., and Xylopsocus castanoptera. There was significant difference on the mean number of Tarsonemus sp., attached on the head,thorax, legs, membraneous wings, abdominal tergite and sternites on S. ruficorne, S. doliolum and X. picea at Kenyatta University and Mitaboni. Higher mean number of Tarsonemus sp., was recorded onthe Hister sp., a predatory beetle of the powderpost beetles in both sites. In Thika significant higher number of Tarsonemus sp., were recorded on the abdominal sternites on Xyloperthodes nitidipennis and no mites were recorded on the abdominal tergites.

A review of the powderpost beetle genus, Xylopertha Guérin-Méneville, 1845, with a new species and new synonymy (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae: Bostrichinae: Xyloperthini)

We review the three species currently placed in the genus Xylopertha Guérin-Méneville, 1845, and describe a new species, Xylopertha elegans sp. nov., from Turkey. We propose the following new synonymy: Xylopertha Guérin-Méneville, 1845 (= Paraxylogenes Damoiseau, 1968); Xylopertha reflexicauda (Lesne, 1937) (= Paraxylogenes pistaciae Damoiseau, 1968). We give details of the sexual dimorphism, and summarise information on the distribution and biology of all species. A key to the species of Xylopertha is provided.

Continuous nondestructive monitoring of larval feeding activity and development of the bamboo powderpost beetle Dinoderus minutus using acoustic emission

The life history and feeding biology of the bamboo powderpost beetle Dinoderus minutus remain poorly understood because the beetles’ oviposition, development, and feeding take place inside bamboo culms. In this study, acoustic emission (AE) monitoring was applied for continuous nondestructive analysis of larval feeding activity and development from the first instar to adult eclosion. Newly hatched larvae were inoculated individually into pieces of madake (Phyllostachys bambusoides) culms. AE hits were recorded using single AE sensors fixed onto the bamboo pieces. Generation of AE hits indicated that larval feeding activity had begun after inoculation. Based on the time course of the hourly AE hit rate, the larvae were feeding constantly during each instar, and feeding activity only ceased during periods of ecdysis and pupation. Half of the individuals examined underwent seven instars and the other half underwent eight instars. The time course of AE hit rate per 5 min exhibited periodic cycles, where continuous meals were separated by inactive phases of ca. 5 min, with an average dominant period of each instar ranging between 0.76 and 2.19 h. After correcting the AE data based on distance attenuation of AE waves, the tendency that AE amplitude increased as the larvae developed through ecdysis events became more apparent. AE monitoring continued after adult eclosion, and the feeding activity of the newly emerged adults continued almost ceaselessly during the Reifungsfrass period.

Histo-anatomical and bio-chemical study of Dendrocalamus brandisii (Munro) Kurz before, during and after flowering

Histo-chemical and bio-chemical changes associated with all the stages of flowering of Dendrocalamus brandisii have been studied. Starch distribution along and across the culm-wall was assessed qualitatively and quantitatively using standard methods. The average starch content varies significantly among the different stages of the culm. The average starch content was lowest in after-flowering culms (3.5%) followed by during flowering culms (7.8%) and maximum in non-flowered bamboo (10.8%). Further it is seen that the starch content also vary long the culm height. High concentration of starch was observed towards the top in before-flowering culms, while the distribution of starch was found to be uniform along the culm height in during-flowering culms. However, in after-flowered culms, comparatively more starch granules were observed in the middle of the culms and very traces were observed both in base and top portion of the culms. Although there was variation in the starch content along the culm heights, these variations were not statistically significant. Histo-chemical and bio-chemical studies on bamboo culms indicate that the starch content of D. brandisii culms depletes after flowering. It was also observed that culms with less starch content (after flowering culms) were more resistant towards powder post beetle attack.

Nondestructive evaluation of egg-to-adult development and feeding behavior of the bamboo powderpost beetle Dinoderus minutus using X-ray computed tomography

The life history and feeding biology of the bamboo powderpost beetle Dinoderus minutus remain poorly understood because the beetles’ oviposition, development, and feeding take place inside bamboo culms. In this study, X-ray computed tomography (CT) was employed to nondestructively quantify the progression of larval body size and tunnel size from the first instar to pupation. Eggs of D. minutus laid between laminates of nutrient-containing filter paper were easily collected. The newly hatched larvae were inoculated singly into pieces of internodes of madake (Phyllostachys bambusoides). The pieces were scanned using a microfocus X-ray CT system every 3–5 days to visualize the beetles’ bodies and tunnels with resolutions of 18–60 μm/voxel. CT scans were continued after adult eclosion to analyze pre-mating adult feeding. The collected eggs were 0.84 ± 0.06 mm (mean ± SD) in length and the egg duration lasted 5.0 ± 0.8 days. Based on CT images, the larvae grew to 3.53 ± 0.23 mm in body length and turned into pupae of 3.42 ± 0.09 mm. The larvae bored tunnels with a length of 80.2 ± 4.8 mm and a volume of 68.0 ± 7.0 mm3 over the larval period of 61 ± 11 days. Newly emerged adults remained in the bamboo pieces to feed before making exit holes in 8 ± 1 days after adult eclosion. During this period, they bored tunnels at rates of 2.64 ± 0.58 mm/day in length and 4.87 ± 1.10 mm3/day in volume.

Effects of Decompression Treatment for Controlling the Powderpost Beetle, Lyctus africanus Lesne, (Coleoptera: Lyctinae).

The efficacy of decompression treatment as a non-destructive method to control larvae of the powderpost beetle, Lyctus africanus Lesne, was evaluated in the laboratory using various combinations of two pressure levels, 1.1 kPa and 40 kPa, and three temperature levels, 20, 25, and 40 °C. Larval mortality generally depended on weight reduction while decreases in the oxygen level had relatively little effect. The lower pressure, 1.1 kPa, significantly affected mortality, and no larvae survived after 12 h of this pressure treatment, at 25 °C. The average body weight was reduced with treatment time and temperature, and the reduction rate at 25 °C was higher than that at the lower temperature, 20 °C. Effects on larvae of the higher pressure treatment, 40 kPa, with a CO2 gas purge, were tested to determine the feasibility of decompression treatment in the manufacturing process. Although higher pressure resulted in low mortality, the body weight was dramatically decreased using the CO2 purge. These results present important information on the possibility of using decompression treatment for wood products.

Choosing a Licensed Wood-Destroying Organism (WDO) Inspector

A wood-destroying organism inspection is a visual inspection performed by a licensed pest control inspector trained to identify evidence of termites, powderpost beetles, and other organisms that chew on wood and cause damage to property. Home buyers and sellers, real estate professionals, and lending institutions order these inspections before real estate transactions. This revised 4-page fact sheet explains how to select an inspector who is licensed and certified so that you can be confident in the inspection. Written by Faith M. Oi, Paul Mitola, Kathleen Ruppert, Michael Page, and Mark Ruff, and published by the Entomology and Nematology Department, July 2015.

First record of Apate monachus in Hungary, with a checklist of and a key to the Hungarian powderpost beetles (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)

First record of Apate monachus in Hungary, with a checklist of and a key to the Hungarian powderpost beetles (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)

Relationship between the movements of the mouthparts of the bamboo powder-post beetle Dinoderus minutus and the generation of acoustic emission

In order to apply acoustic emission (AE) monitoring to the non-destructive and continuous analysis of the feeding biology of the bamboo powder-post beetle Dinoderus minutus inside bamboo culms, it is essential to clarify the relationship between their feeding activity and AE generation. In this study, the behavior of the larva and adult of D. minutus in a madake (Phyllostachys bambusoides) specimen was directly observed by a microscope, while AE measurement of the specimen attached to an AE sensor (150 kHz resonant frequency) was conducted simultaneously. The mandibles of the larva or the adult exhibited “chewing movements” when it was in feeding activity. AE hits were detected as the larva or adult chewed the specimen with its mandibles. Under the measurement conditions employed, chewing movements of the mandibles that produced AE hits accounted for 26–42 % of the total chewing movements for larvae, and 27–43 % for adults. On the other hand, when the larva or adult was not chewing the specimen, almost no AE hits were detected. Therefore, the generation of AE corresponded to the chewing movements of the mandibles of D. minutus.

Identification of Esters as Novel Aggregation Pheromone Components Produced by the Male Powder-Post Beetle, Lyctus africanus Lesne (Coleoptera: Lyctinae).

Lyctus africanus is a cosmopolitan powder-post beetle that is considered one of the major pests threatening timber and timber products. Because infestations of this beetle are inconspicuous, damage is difficult to detect and identification is often delayed. We identified the chemical compounds involved in the aggregation behavior of L. africanus using preparations of crude hexanic extracts from male and female beetles (ME and FE, respectively). Both male and female beetles showed significant preferences for ME, which was found to contain three esters. FE was ignored by both the sexes. Further bioassay confirmed the role of esters in the aggregation behavior of L. africanus. Three esters were identified as 2-propyl dodecanoate, 3-pentyl dodecanoate, and 3-pentyl tetradecanoate. Further behavioral bioassays revealed 3-pentyl dodecanoate to play the main role in the aggregation behavior of female L. africanus beetles. However, significantly more beetles aggregated on a paper disk treated with a blend of the three esters than on a paper disk treated with a single ester. This is the first report on pheromone identification in L. africanus; in addition, the study for the first time presents 3-pentyl dodecanoate as an insect pheromone.

Isolation and characterization of mold fungi and insects infecting sawmill wood, and their inhibition by gamma radiation

Abstract This article describes the isolation, identification, and characterization of wood-rotting fungi and insects, and their inhibition was studied using gamma radiation. Products manufactured from plantation timber species are deteriorated by wood-rotting fungi such as Hypocrea lixii, Fusarium proliferatum, and Aspergillus flavus, and insects such as powderpost beetles. Proper preservation methods are necessary for ensuring a long service life of wood products. In this study, wood samples were treated with 2.5% copper ethanolamine boron (CEB) (10% w/v) and subsequently irradiated with gamma rays (10 kGy). It was observed that CEB-treated and gamma-irradiated samples controlled fungi and powderpost beetles significantly. As wood is a dead organic material, penetration of chemicals into it is very difficult. Gamma rays easily pass through wooden objects with hidden eggs and dormant spores of insects and fungi, respectively. Gamma irradiation was proved very effective in reducing damage caused by both fungi and insects.

Preservation of bamboos using pressurized bamboo treatment unit

Bamboo is a woody, valuable, strong and exceptionally fast growing grass. Bamboos are mostly used for structural purposes in rural and tribal housing. But the presence of large amount of starch makes bamboo highly susceptible to attack by staining fungi and powder-post beetles. It deteriorates in a couple of years, putting heavy pressure on the resource, owing to increased demands for frequent replacements. This adversely affects the supplies of bamboo, even in bamboo rich regions. Preservation can extend the life of bamboo and can maintain its quality and hence, make it suitable for the use as construction material. Different preservation methods are used for this purpose. In present study, pressure treatment was developed for treating bamboo by using copper chrome boron, cashew nut shell liquid and cow urine. By using developed treatment unit bamboos can be treated within 2 hours. Tensile strength for Mes above soil was found to be 30.16 N/mm 2 , 29.40 N/mm 2 and 26.94 N/mm 2 for CCA, CCB and untreated, respectively and compressive strength was found to be 13.06 N/mm 2 , 12.58 N/mm 2 and 10.38 N/mm 2 for CCA, CCB and untreated, respectively after 90 days of environmental exposure. The tensile and compressive strength of chemically treated bamboos was found to be better than untreated bamboos.

Evaluation of larval growth process and bamboo consumption of the bamboo powder-post beetle Dinoderus minutus using X-ray computed tomography

The bamboo powder-post beetle Dinoderus minutus is a major pest of felled bamboo in Japan. In this study, X-ray computed tomography (CT) was utilized to non-destructively trace the movement of the larvae of D. minutus inside infested bamboo specimens and to evaluate the bamboo consumption of the larvae. The infested specimens, which had been enclosed with adult D. minutus beetles, were scanned using a microfocus X-ray CT system every 2 to 5 days. Larvae and other stages of the beetles were clearly recognizable in the CT images with a voxel size of 61.9 μm, and they were distinguishable from the bamboo, insect tunnels, and frass. The larvae were traced until pupation, and the length and volume of their tunnels were measured to evaluate their bamboo consumption. The tunnel length and volume bored by one larva was estimated to be 0.98 mm and 1.06 mm3 (0.70 mg of oven-dry mass) per day within the average observation period of 22 days, respectively, and the active larval period was estimated to be 39 days in our experimental conditions.

Scobicia chevrieri (Villa & Villa 1835), a new species of the Bostrichidae family for the Slovak Republic

Coleoptera research was conducted in the Mlyňany Arboretum of SAS (48°19'12''N, 18°22'09''E) in 2013. Once per week monitoring was carried out from late April to early October. During the sample collection process, an occurrence of Scobicia chevrieri (Villa & Villa 1835) from the Bostrichidae family has been recorded. It is considered to be the first record of this powderpost beetle species in the Slovak Republic. An imago was caught in a light trap which uses UV tubes in combination with white light. Its potential host plant seems to be Quercus robur L., or other Quercus species found in the Mlyňany Arboretum of SAS.  

ヒラタキクイムシ（Lyctus brunneus）の防除方法の開発 －産卵誘導方法の検討および殺虫成分による産卵・孵化抑制効果の評価－

ヒラタキクイムシ（Lyctus brunneus）の防除方法の開発 －産卵誘導方法の検討および殺虫成分による産卵・孵化抑制効果の評価－

Effect of humidity on egg hatchability and reproductive biology of the bamboo borer (Dinoderus minutus Fabricius)

Wood products are highly exposed to infestation by powder post beetles. Dinoderus minutus (bamboo borer) is a wood boring beetle that seriously damage dried bamboo and finished bamboo products. Management of D. minutus using pesticides showed negative effects on environment despite being very costly. By understanding influence of natural climatic conditions on their reproductive behaviour, could help us to develop a cost effective and environmental friendly strategy to cope up with this problem. In the present study, reproductive parameters and egg development of the bamboo borer were determined at 20%, 40%, 56%, 75% and 85% r.h. levels at constant temperature of 30° ± 2°C with 8 L-16D photoregime. From the results, eclosion to first instar larva was recorded at all relative humidities tested. The lowest shortest percentage of hatchability was recorded at 20% and 85% relative humidity with a mean incubation period of 4.63 ± 0.25 and 10.43 ± 0.32 days, respectively. It was noted that pre-ovipositional period decreased from 14.20 ± 0.49 to 7.20 ± 0.31 days as relative humidity increased from 20% to 75% and slightly increased to 8.00 ± 0.37 days at 85% relative humidity. We conclude that female beetles may have a particular hygropreference in oviposition as total egg production increased with increasing relative humidity.

Evaluation of Copper Ethanolamine Boron Based Wood Preservative to Control Wood Destroying Insects

In the present study, efficacy of Copper-Ethanolamine-Boron (CEB) against powder post beetle and subterranean termite has been evaluated. The methodology adopted for the treatment of solid wood was by way of dipping and for plywood by glue line poisoning. CEB (10% w/v) was tested at various concentration levels viz., 2.5%, 3% and 5% against wood destroying insects. From the results of the toxicity study, it has been found that the lethal dose of CEB to control the attack of powder post beetle and subterranean termite was 2.5% in both the methods. In India, this is the first report of replacing chromium with Ethanolamine to fix the Copper and Boron in wood to control the wood destroying insects.

Lufenuron - A New Breakthrough in Control of Wood Destroying Insects

Use of environmentally acceptable preservative that contains no metals is an essential criterion in wood preservation. In this study, an environment friendly chemical viz., lufenuron was evaluated as a wood preservative chemical to protect plywood and solid wood from wood destroying insects. The efficacy of lufenuron was studied against powder post beetle and subterranean termite. The method used for the treatment of solid wood was dipping and glue line poisoning for plywood. Lufenuron was tested at various concentration level viz., 0.5, 1 and 2 % against powder post beetle and subterranean termite. Observations were made for a period of eighteen months for powder post beetle (natural infestation test) and twelve months for subterranean termite (field test). From the results of the toxicity study, it has been found that the lethal dose of lufenuron against powder post beetle and subterranean termite are 0.5 and 1 % respectively in both the methods.

Insect pest management programmes and results from their application in two large museum collections in Berlin and Vienna

Since the 1980s the concept of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has been applied in museums, historic houses and archives to reduce the application of pesticides and damage to historic objects. Insect pests such as the webbing clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella), drugstore beetle (Stegobium paniceum), different Attagenus and Anthrenus species or the common furniture beetle (Anobium punctatum) have been known as museum pests for a long time, having caused major damage to the collections of natural or cultural history. The monitoring (regular inspection) with sticky blunder and pheromone traps plays a major role in IPM to detect an infestation and to locate damaged objects. The results of a monitoring in 2010 in ten museums in Berlin of the Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz and the Museum of Ethnology, Vienna, the Austrian Theatre Museum and six collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Vienna, are presented. The most common pests found in both cities were webbing clothes moths (T. bisselliella), the drugstore beetle (S. paniceum), the varied carpet beetle (Anthrenus (Nathrenus) verbasci) and silverfish (Lepisma saccharina). The khapra beetle (Trogoderma angustum) and the brown carpet beetle (Attagenus smirnovi), both common pests in homes and museums in Berlin, were not yet found in Vienna. A. smirnovi may be replaced in Vienna by the ecologically similar species, the black carpet beetle (Attagenus unicolor). Four wood destroying pests were found in the study, Nicobium castaneum in Berlin and the common furniture beetle (A. punctatum), Hexarthrum exiguum and the powderpost beetle (Lyctus brunneus) in Vienna. The distribution of these species, other insect pests and the success of the IPM programs are discussed.