Species Of Sap Beetles Research Articles

New species and records of subgenus Aethina from China (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)

Two new species of sap beetles, A. (A.) similinconspicua sp. nov. and A. (A.) shizhuica sp. nov., of the subgenus Aethina Erichson, 1843 are described and illustrated from southwestern China. And four new species, A. (A.) cyaneipennis Grouvelle, 1903, A. (A.) dubitabilis Kireitshuk, 1986, A. (A.) kirejtshuki Jelínek, 1995, and A. (A.) lindskogi Jelínek & Kirejtshuk, 1986 are recorded for the first time from China.

New species in the sap beetle genus Soronia Erichson (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae: Nitidulinae) from China.

Three new species of sap beetles in the genus Soronia Erichson (S. expansa sp. nov., S. magnipunctura sp. nov. and S. xiangxiyuanica sp. nov.) are described and photographed. Two newly recorded species from China, S. gratiosa Kirejtshuk, 1988 and S. grisea (Linnaeus, 1758), are photographed and this new range extension is documented. A key to species of the genus Soronia in China is provided.

Molecular identification and first documentation of seven species of Carpophilus Stephens (Nitidulidae: Carpophilinae) in oil palm ecosystem, Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract Sap beetles are commonly found in many agricultural systems worldwide. In Malaysia, sap beetles are less documented despite their abundance in oil palm plantations. The similarities in the morphology of the sap beetle makes the identification process difficult from the same genus. This study aims to determine of composition of the sap beetle species from the genus Carpophilus, to identify the species of sap beetles and to document the DNA barcode for those species collected from the oil palm plantation, which has never been done before. DNA of seven species of sap beetles within the subfamily Carpophilinae have been successfully amplified using cytochrome oxidase subunit I marker (COI) namely C. hemipterus (Linnaeus), C. maculatus Murray, C. mutilatus Erichson, C. marginellus Motschulsky, C. sp. 1, C. nepos Murray and C. obsoletus Erichson represented 21, 12, 33, 8, 9, 6 and 11%, respectively from the total number collected. The sequences were analysed and a tree was constructed based on Neighbor-Joining (NJ) analysis with Meligethes thalassophilus chosen as an outgroup. All of the samples showed 90–100% similarities in BOLD and BLAST analyses. NJ trees constructed show that each sap beetle species collected from the study site located at their specific lineages on the tree. Interestingly, the DNA barcoding described in this study is the first to document barcoding data of sap beetles genus Carpophilus in Malaysia and this can be a helpful tool in updating the taxonomic and molecular status of the sap beetles in Malaysia.

Invasive sap beetles Epuraea ocularis and Stelidota geminata (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae) in the Russian Black Sea region

This article considers two invasive species of sap beetles, Epuraea ocularis Fairmaire, 1849, and Stelidota geminata (Say, 1825), which were previously recorded in the Caucasus. Epuraea ocularis is indicated for the fauna of Russia for the first time.

Carpophilus zeaphilus, a new sap beetle species acclimatized in Italy (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)

<em>Carpophilus zeaphilus</em> Dobson, 1969 (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae, Carpophilinae) is an Afrotropical species that has become widespread in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and southern Mediterranean areas in recent years. The species was first recorded from Europe in Portugal and Spain nearly thirty years ago, and it was later intercepted in Sicily near Trapani in 1991. A few specimens of this species were collected in April, 2015 in a sparsely forested area near Rome, which suggests a recent acclimatization into peninsular Italy. Specimens were taken on flowering trees of <em>Prunus spinosa</em> L. (Rosaceae), an unusual occurrence for most introduced species of Carpophilinae that are normally associated with rotten fruit and other decomposing vegetal matter.

A Survey of Sap Beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) in Strawberry Fields in West Central Florida

Nine species of sap beetles (Nitidulidae) were collected in pitfall traps and during whole plant examinations in strawberry fields during the 1994–95, 1999 and 2000 seasons in the strawberry production area of eastern Hillsborough County, Florida. Haptoncus luteolus (Erichson), Lobiopa insularis (Castelnau) and Carpophilus fumatus Boheman accounted for about 95% of the specimens collected while C. humeralis (F), C. freemani Dobson, C. mutilatus (Erichson), Stelidota geminata (Say), S. ferruginea Reitter and Colopterus truncatus (Randall) each accounted only for ≤ 2% of the specimens.

Molecular phylogenetics of a South Pacific sap beetle species complex (Carpophilus spp., Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)

Several species of sap beetles in the genus Carpophilus are minor pests of fresh produce and stored products, and are frequently intercepted in biosecurity operations. In the South Pacific region, the superficially similar species C. maculatus and C. oculatus are frequently encountered in these situations. Three subspecies of C. oculatus have been described, and the complex of these four taxa has led to inaccurate identification and questions regarding the validity of these taxa. A molecular phylogenetic study using the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and two nuclear markers comprising the rDNA internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) and the D1–D2 region of the large (28S) ribosomal RNA subunit showed that C. maculatus, and C. o. cheesmani were easily differentiated from the two other subspecies of C. oculatus. COI also showed differentiation between C. o. gilloglyi and C. o. oculatus, but this was not shown when third codon positions were removed and when RY-coding analyses were conducted. Generalised mixed Yule-Coalescent (GMYC) models were fitted to trees estimated from the COI data and were analysed using a multimodel approach to consider the evidence for three taxonomic groupings of the C. oculatus group. While the arrangement with the highest cumulative weight was not the arrangement ultimately accepted, the accepted taxonomy also had an acceptable level of support. ITS2 showed structure within C. oculatus, however C. o. oculatus was resolved as paraphyletic with respect to C. o. gilloglyi. COI showed evidence of sequence saturation and did not adequately resolve higher relationships between species represented in the dataset. 28S resolved higher relationships, but did not perform well at the species level. This study supports the validity of C. maculatus as a separate species, and provides sufficient evidence to raise C. o. cheesmani to the level of species. This study also shows significant structure within and between C. o. gilloglyi and C. o. oculatus, giving an indication of recent speciation events occurring. To highlight the interesting biology between these two taxa, C. o. gilloglyi is retained as a subspecies of C. oculatus. These results give clarity regarding the taxonomic status of C. maculatus and the subspecies of C. oculatus and provide a platform for future systematic research on Carpophilus.

A new species of sap beetle (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) from Baja California Sur, Mexico, with a review of the genus Lobiopa Erichson

Abstract A new sap beetle species, Lobiopa penrosei Cline & Kinnee sp. nov., is described from Baja California Sur, Mexico. Habitus and genitalia images are provided. Major characters distinguishing L. penrosei include: dorsal surface setation consisting of all light colored thin and spatulate/subclavate setae with no dark to piceous setae present; spatulate/subclavate setae straight/erect not curved; and internal sac sclerites of male genitalia with a paired basal field of spines as well as ejaculatory rods with constricted bases. A review of Lobiopa Erichson is given, including biological notes on some of the inclusive members as well as a checklist of all described species.

Electrophysiological and behavioral identification of a volatile blend involved in host location of female strawberry sap beetle, Stelidota geminata

The strawberry sap beetle (SSB), Stelidota geminata (Say) (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), is a serious direct pest of strawberries in the northeastern USA. To date, however, no food or pheromone-based attractants for SSB have been identified. A combination of solid-phase microextraction, adsorbent sampling, gas chromatography coupled with electroantennographic detection (GC–EAD), and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was used to identify volatile compounds from strawberry fruit acting as behavioral attractants for female SSB. Consistent EAD activity was obtained for 16 ester compounds. In Y-tube olfactometer bioassays, the blend of these 16 compounds mixed at a ratio observed from strawberry headspace was significantly more attractive to adult female SSB than a control. Female SSB showed no difference in response levels between the 16-component blend and a strawberry volatile adsorbent extract. Our data indicate that the combination of the ethyl acetate with some or all of the remaining 15 compounds is necessary for this ester blend to be attractive to female SSB. Previously identified host volatiles found for other species of sap beetles included mostly alcohols associated with over-ripe fruit rather than the esters identified from ripe strawberries for SSB. A highly attractive synthetic food odor will be useful for developing new management options for SSB.

A new genus and species of sap beetles from Bolivia (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)

The paper deals with description of Bolivitoxus diffusopunctatus, gen. et sp. n. from Bolivia, which belongs to the Pocadius-complex of genera of the tribe Nitidulini (Nitidulidae). Taxon Pseudothalycra Howden, 1962 is considered as a subgenus of the genus Thalycra Erichson, 1843, stat. nov. New conception of the Pocadiuscomplex of genera involving also former Thalycra-complex is proposed.

The association of multiple sap beetle species (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) with western honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies in North Africa.

The association of multiple sap beetle species (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) with western honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies in North Africa.

The association of multiple sap beetle species (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) with western honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies in North America

James D. Ellis, Keith S. Delaplane, Andrew Cline and Joseph V. McHugh. Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Bldg 970 Natural Area Dr., PO Box 110620, Gainesville, FL 32601, USA. Department of Entomology, Biological Sciences Building, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA. California Department of Food and Agriculture, 3294 Meadowview Road, Sacramento, CA 95832-1448, USA.

Suitability of Commercially Available Insect Traps and Pheromones for Monitoring Dusky Sap Beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) and Related Insects in Bt Sweet Corn

Two trap types and pheromone sources for the dusky sap beetle, Carpophilus lugubris Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), were compared in Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and non-Bt sweet corn fields over a 3-yr period. Overall, commercial traps and pheromones were equally effective as experimental traps and pheromones used previously for capturing C. lugubris and other sap beetle species. The commercial trap often caught significantly more Glischrochilus quadrisignatus Say than the experimental trap that had been used in previous studies. Bt corn significantly reduced caterpillar damage to ears compared with the non-Bt isoline and did not adversely affect levels of Orius sp., the most common insect predator. Sap beetle damage was the most common insect damage to Bt sweet corn ears. Sap beetles were detected by traps at population levels below that which are likely to cause economic concern, indicating commercially available traps and pheromone lures for monitoring sap beetles should be suitable for detecting them under commercial growing conditions.

Sap Beetle Species (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) Visiting Fresh Wounds on Healthy Oaks During Spring in Minnesota

Abstract Many species of sap beetles have been implicated as vectors of the oak wilt pathogen, (Ceratocystis fagacearum), but the species responsible for most aboveground transmission of the fungus is unknown. The abundance of adult sap beetle species inhabiting <7-day-old, artificially made wounds on healthy oaks during Apr.–June of 2 years in Minnesota, and the frequencies with which viable propagules of the fungi were present on each, were determined. Sap beetles were most abundant on wounds created in May, and 1–3-day-old wounds yielded higher numbers of insects than 4–6-day-old wounds. Of the beetles collected, >95% were Colopterus truncatus and Carpophilus sayi. C. fagacearum was isolated from 75% of 594 adults assayed for the fungus. The average number of viable propagules for pooled data of individuals of each species ranged from <100 to 18,000. Frequencies of fungus isolation differed by days after wounding, study location, and sap beetle species. These results, when coupled with previous findings on predominant species associated with oak wilt fungi mats, support the hypothesis that Co. truncatus and Ca. sayi are the principal sap beetle species transmitting C. fagacearum from diseased to healthy oaks in Minnesota. FOR. SCI. 50(6):757–764.

Susceptibility of Sap Beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) to Entomopathogenic Nematodes

Nitidulid beetles (Coleoptera) are considered to be serious pests of date palms throughout the world. They attack ripe fruit, causing it to rot, and damage is reflected in both reduced yield and lower fruit quality. The present study was aimed at an evaluation of the susceptibility to different sap beetles to entomopathogenic nematodes. We further tested nematode efficacy in pots filled with soil infested by third instar larvae of the two beetle species. In Petri dish assay, mortality levels of Carpophilus humeralis and C. hemipterus exposed to Heterorhabditis sp. IS-5 strain indicated that the latter is less susceptible to nematode infection. Exposure of both sap beetle species to different nematode strains gave moderate levels of mortality (35-65%) with the heterorhabditid strains HP88, IS-5 and IS-25. The IS-12 strain of Heterorhabditis sp. showed poor virulence (<35% mortality) against larvae of C. humeralis as well as larvae and pupae of C. humipterus. The nematode species S. riobrave showed moderate virulence (35-65%) mortality to larvae and pupae of S. humeralis as well as to larvae of C. hemipterus . Exposure of C. hemeralis to different concentrations of Heterorhabditis sp. IS-5 in pots containing soil resulted in high mortality (>65%). In contrast, the lower concentrations (500 and 1000 nematodes/pot) caused low mortality (35%) of C. hemipterus . Other heterorhabditid strains caused 95-100% mortality of C. humeralis in pot assay. The HP88 strain of H. bacteriophora and the Tx strain of Steinernema riobrave showed poor effectiveness. Incubation of different nematode strains with the C. humeralis larvae at high temperature (32 C) resulted in an increase in insect mortality with the IS-12 and IS-21 strains. Reduced mortality was recorded with the HP88 strain treatment at the higher temperature. The IS-5 and IS-12 strains were equally effective in all three soil types tested, whereas the IS-19 strain was more effective in the Almog type soil than in the others.

Multiple-Species Rearing Diet for Sap Beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)

A multiple-species diet for sap beetles with rearing procedures is described. This diet can be used to rear 11 species of sap beetles belonging to five genera in the Nitidulidae: Carpophilus brachypterus (Say), C. hemipterus (L.), C. lugubris Murray, Lobiopa undulata (Say), Phenolia grossa (F.), Stelidota geminata (Say), S. octomaculata (Say), S. ferruginea Reitter, Glischrochilus quadrisignatus (Say), G. fasciatus (Olivier), and G. sanguinolentus (Olivier). Under laboratory conditions, generation times (egg to adult) ranged from 27 to 50 d, and survival (egg to adult) was 40–79% among the above species. Fecundity of all species was high except among G. fasciatus and G. sanguinolentus. Large numbers of known-age beetles can be obtained by using this method.

Some Host-Parasite Relationships of Microctonus nitidulidis1 and Stelidota geminata23

The theleotokous wasp, Microctonus nitidulidis Loan, parasitized 8 species of sap beetles, Carpopilus hemipterus (L.), C. freemani Dobson, C. brachypterus (Say), C. lugubris Murray, C. mutabilis (Erichson), Urophorus humeralis (F.) and Stelidota octomaculata (Say) and S. geminata (Say). Strawberry sap beetle egg production was greatly reduced by parasitism; fertility of beetle males, however, was not affected by parasitism. Prior to parasitism, females averaged 9.3 eggs/day, and after parasitism, 2.9 eggs/day. The most efficient rearing temperature for the parasite was 27.0°C with the completion of a generation taking 21.5 days.

Sap Beetles (of Florida), Nitidulidae (Insecta: Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)

Most species of sap beetles are attracted to the wounds of trees where they feed on sap. However, the habits of the Nitidulidae are quite variable (Parsons 1943). Sap beetles have been found in various habitats feeding on flowers, fruits, sap, fungi, decaying and fermenting plant tissues or dead animal tissue (Parsons 1943, Hayashi 1978). This document is EENY-256, one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: November 2001. Revised: September 2004. &#x0D; EENY256/IN525: Sap Beetles (of Florida), Nitidulidae (Insecta: Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) (ufl.edu)