Sap Beetles Research Articles

Evolution of feeding habits of sap beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) and placement of Calonecrinae

AbstractNitidulidae includes some 4500 species under 350 genera in ten subfamilies, making it the most species‐rich family in Cucujoidea. In this study, we present a phylogeny of the family based on five gene regions (COI, 28s, CAD, H3, Wingless) for 73 ingroup taxa representing nine of the ten currently recognized subfamilies of Nitidulidae, including the enigmatic subfamily Calonecrinae. Our results are consistent with a prior molecular study that recovered (i) paraphyletic Nitidulinae with the inclusion of Meligethinae and Cillaeinae and (ii) subfamilial status of Prometopiinae. The molecular phylogenetic position of Calonecrinae is recovered for the first time, as a sister taxon to Epuraeinae. Ancestral state reconstruction of feeding behaviour indicates that the stem group nitidulids were largely mycophagous with transitions to other feeding types independently derived.

Using model-based fungicide programing to effectively control Botrytis and Anthracnose fruit rots in Mid-Atlantic strawberry fields and co-manage strawberry sap beetle (Stelidota geminate)

Effective fruit rot management is essential for profitable strawberry production in the Mid-Atlantic. With recent fungicide resistance development in two high-impact fruit rot pathogens, Botrytis cinerea [the cause of Botrytis fruit rot (BFR)] and Colletotrichum acutatum [the cause of Anthracnose fruit rot (AFR)], there is increasing interest in using disease forecasting to reduce fungicide applications and thus preserve existing chemistries. We conducted field trials in the Mid-Atlantic over two years to evaluate use of a model-based fungicide program [the Strawberry Advisory System (StAS)] for: (1) efficacy in reducing fungicide applications, (2) ability to achieve fruit rot control similar to the existing calendar-based program, and (3) effects on non-target diseases and pests. Across the two years, fungicide applications were reduced by an average of 50% for BFR control and 58% for AFR control. The model and calendar-based programs resulted in similar yields in both years, based on both percent of marketable fruit and marketable fruit yields (P > 0.05). Confirming fungicide treatment efficacy, yields were significantly lower in the non-treated control (NTC) in 2016 (incidence: P = 0.024; fruit biomass: P = 0.012). Yields were uniform in 2017, with 94–96% of fruit marketable, and there was no treatment effect. AFR incidence in the calendar and model-based programs were similar in both years (P > 0.05). AFR incidence in the NTC was significantly greater than both fungicide treatments in 2016 (P = 0.004) but not in 2017 (P = 0.63), likely due to low AFR levels (<2% of fruit with AFR across treatments). BFR incidence in the model-based program was likewise similar in model and calendar programs in both year (P > 0.05). Neither program differed from the NTC in 2016 (P = 0.84), likely due to low BFR levels (>4% of fruit with BFR); in 2017 BFR incidence in the NTC was significantly greater than calendar program (P = 0.032). This study also revealed a 55% reduction strawberry sap beetle (Stelidota geminate) incidence in the model-based fungicide program compared to the NTC (P = 0.027) in 2016 due to reduction in fruit rots. Model-based spray programming therefore has the potential to mitigate fungicide resistance development in the Mid-Atlantic strawberry production while providing effective fruit rot control. Potential to co-manage strawberry sap beetle should be further examined and would greatly enhance industry profitability.

Species composition of beetles (Coleoptera) on the fields of spring rape in Belarus

It was identified the species composition of beetles (Coleoptera) on the fields of spring rape was revealed in different months of the summer periods of 2016 and 2017. A conclusion is made about the dependence of the species diversity of coleopterans on the collection time of the samples. In 2016 and 2017 years on the experimental fields, representatives of 9 families of Coleoptera were found: sap beetles (Nitidulidae), ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae), antlike flower beetles (Anthicidae), minute scavenger beetles (Latridiidae), silken fungus beetles (Cryptophagidae), soldier beetles (Cantharidae), burying beetles (Silphidae), clown beetles (Histeridae) and click beetles (Elateridae). A total of them were 27 species of beetles.

One new species and three newly recorded species of Neopallodes Reitter from China (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae, Nitidulinae).

One new species of the sap beetle genus Neopallodes, N. nigrescenssp. nov., is described and illustrated. New information on the distribution and illustrations of three species, N. dentatus Kirejtshuk, 1994, N. falsus Grouvelle, 1913 and N. vietnamicus Kirejtshuk, 1987, which are newly recorded from China, are also supplemented. A key to species of the genus Neopallodes from China is provided.

First record of the alien exotic sap beetle Phenolia (Lasiodites) picta (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) in Greece

The exotic sap beetle Phenolia (Lasiodites) picta (Macleay, 1825) is recorded for the first time in Greece. In August 2018, a nitidulid beetle was found near Mt. Pelion of Central Greece. It was later identified as P. picta, a recent alien species in Europe, previously recorded from Spain, France, and Turkey. Photographic material and information on the species’ distribution, biology, and potential economic and ecological implications are presented and discussed.

Review of the cedar and oak forest-associated &lt;i&gt;Epuraea latipes&lt;/i&gt; species group (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae, Epuraeinae), with description of a new species from southern Turkey

A new species of Epuraea, Epuraea sutcuimamun Avgm, Lasoń &amp; Audisio sp. n., from southern Turkey (Taurus Chain) was identified using morphological analyses. This species is a member ofa circum—Mediterranean endemic group of sap beetles, the Epuraea latipes species group of the Dadopora lineage, which are mostly associated with cedar (Cedrus spp.) forests. Herein, the new species is described, the previously unknown association of the little-known Epuraea subparallela Grouvelle 1896 with meso-xerophilous oaks is reported, and some new records from southern Turkey (Taurus Chain) are listed for the latter species (previously only known from the Nur Mts. in SE Turkey, Osmaniye and Iskenderun provinces). An identification key to species of Dadopora lineage is also provided. Finally, the main palaeogeographic events affecting the Miocene to Holocene dispersal and evolution of species/populations of the Dadopora lineage on cedars and oaks, and the coincident distributional dynamics of Western Palaearctic Cedrus populations throughout the Mediterranean Basin, are discussed.

The first record of Stelidota geminata (Say, 1825) (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae) in Romania

The sap beetle, Stelidota geminata (Say, 1825) originates from the North American continent and was introduced in Europe, Oriental Region and in the Near East. It is recorded from Romania for the first time.

Insect Management for Sweet Corn

Foliar, ear and root feeding insects can routinely cause economic losses to sweet corn if left untreated. The most important pests of sweet corn in Florida are the fall armyworm, corn earworm, lesser cornstalk borer, cutworms, corn silk fly, cucumber beetles, aphids, and wireworms. Less common pests of sweet corn include grasshoppers, corn blotch leafminer, twospotted spider mites, sap beetles, stink bugs, maize weevils and billbugs, white grubs, and white fringed beetles. This document is ENY-472 (which replaces ENY-449), one of a series of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date November 2001. Revised September 2005. &#x0D; ENY-472/IG158: Insect Management for Sweet Corn (ufl.edu)

Strawberries: Main Pests and Beneficials in Florida

The strawberry, Fragaria x ananassa, is an important small fruit crop in Florida. The sunshine state leads the southeastern U.S. in strawberry production and ranks second to California nationwide. The mild weather of Florida's fall and winter seasons sustain the nation's second largest strawberry production. These conditions, unfortunately, are also suitable for several arthropod pests to multiply and feed on the crop. Strawberry plants are quickly established two weeks after the transplanting irrigation is turned off. This is the time growers must begin to scout their fields at least once a week to assess the status of pests, such as spider mites, cyclamen mites, lepidopterous larvae, aphids, thrips, and sap beetles. The ability to recognize these pests, their damage, and their natural enemies is important in determining the best control methods for each situation. Keep in mind that miticide or insecticide choices are limited if you participate in a biological control program. This document is HS1018, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: July 2005.

Type designations for sap beetles in the subfamily Carpophilinae Erichson (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) housed in the Natural History Museum, London.

The subfamily Carpophilinae, in particular the genus Carpophilus Stephens, represents one of the most speciose lineages within Nitidulidae. The subfamily was first recognized by Erichson (1843) in a much broader sense, including what is now the Cillaeinae. According to Kirejtshuk (2008), there are seven genera and 13 subgenera within Carpophilinae. To date, however, no comprehensive tribal or generic phylogenetic reconstructions have been published for the subfamily. This work constitutes a preliminary stage of a larger project that will address the subfamily in a rigorous taxonomic and systematic framework. A stable taxonomic foundation for Carpophilus species and other Carpophilinae taxa is needed to ensure the validity of future work in the subfamily. Herein we designate lectotypes and paralectotypes and confirm holotypes for 14 species of carpophiline sap beetles following ICZN (1999) articles 73.1 and 74.1.

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.

Spinosyns Cause Aedeagus Eversion in Carpophilus spp. (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae).

During an assessment of various insecticides against sap beetles, Carpophilus sp., it was noted that at least some males everted their reproductive structures (referred to as aedeagus from here forward) when treated with a spinosyn insecticide, spinetoram. This response to spinosyns or other insecticides is not documented in the literature even though sap beetles have been included in numerous insecticide assays and spinosyn insecticides have been in widespread commercial use for >20 yr. Additionally, other insect species have not been documented to show a similar aedeagus eversion response to spinosyns or other insecticides. The objective of this study was to further examine eversion of the aedeagus when sap beetles were exposed to different rates of two spinosyn insecticides, spinetoram and spinosad. Additionally, we examined whether a similar response would occur in other insects when three species of Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) and one species of Curculionidae (Coleoptera) were exposed to spinetoram. Our results show that male sap beetles respond to both spinosyns by everting the aedeagus, females did not have an analogous response. No similar response was observed for the assayed species of Coccinellidae or Curculionidae.

Monitoring tools and sampling methods for major date palm pests.

Abstract This review provides summary of the most commonly used methods and tools for monitoring and sampling of date palm pests. Emphasis is given to major pests of economic importance. The paper is arranged into different sections, which deal with morphology and architecture of date palm as one of the most important aspects in the process of sampling. The ecological concepts and terminologies used including mathematical models and monitoring and sampling plans for the major date palm pests. For convenience, major pests were grouped according to their taxonomic orders and the part of date palm they damage into the following: red palm weevil, Dubas bug, date moth, mites, scale insects, trunk and frond borers, sap beetles and stored date pests. The review specified the gaps in sampling plans available for major date palm pests as well as future research priorities to enhance the existing sampling and monitoring techniques.

Laboratory Assays Against Adult and Larval Sap Beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) Using Entomopathogenic Nematodes, Microbial-Based Insecticides, and Synthetic Insecticides

Sap beetles, Carpophilus spp. (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), damage peach fruit leading to the need for efficacious control measures. We assayed different species and strains of entomopathogenic nematodes (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Vs strain, H. indica HOM1 strain, H. megidis UK211 strain, Steinernema carpocapsae All strain, S. feltiae Sn strain, and S. riobrave 355 strain) against larval Carpophilus spp. and insecticides (microbialbased Grandevo® and Venerate™ bioinsecticides, along with the synthetic thiamethoxam, acetamiprid, indoxacarb, β-cyfluthrin, clothianidin, carbaryl, chlorantraniliprole, fenpropathrin, spinetoram, phosmet, malathion, and imidacloprid) against adult Carpophilus spp. in the laboratory. All entomopathogenic nematodes assayed caused significantly higher larval mortality than the control. How the insecticides were presented to the adult beetles affected whether beetles were rated as nonfeeding (dead+moribund). Fewer insecticides were active against the adults when applied to filter paper than when applied to a plug of pear that beetles fed upon. Overall, indoxacarb and phosmet provided consistently better control, regardless of the exposure method. These two insecticides, with different modes of action, also have a 14-d preharvest interval when used on peach, making it imperative to detect these pests well before harvest. Chlorantraniliprole and the microbial-based products had no effect on adult beetles regardless of the exposure method.

Dates fumigation with phosphine: Poster

Stored dates are usually infested by sap beetles and moths. For years, the common practice for dates disinfestation was fumigation with methyl bromide (MB). After MB phase-out, heat treatment and modified atmosphere are used. However, there are several limitations of these methods. In search for alternatives for dates disinfestation, fumigation by phosphine was evaluated. Commercial fumigations of Medjool dates variety using phosphine were conducted in a standard 20 ft. shipping container. Two formulations of phosphine were used: Magtoxin® Plates 56% (Detia Freyberg GmbH, Germany), and Phostoxin® Tablets 56% (Detia Freyberg GmbH, Germany). The phosphine dosage range was 1-4 g/m3. The exposure time range was 24-72 hrs. Several fumigations were carried out by an innovative phosphine generator model OMT 501 developed by Universal Probes. Most fumigations carried out demonstrated total dates disinfestation. The application of Magtoxin plates, especially using the OMT 501 demonstrates significant advantages versus Phostoxin tablets; the advantages were in quicker gas development, and achieving much higher maximum and pre-ventilation phosphine concentration levels. Upon fumigation using the OMT 501, plates are easily collected and disposed, no residual dust left on the dates, which avoided their contamination. No phosphine residues were found in the fumigated dates, neither changes in organoleptic properties were noted. Phosphine fumigation using the phosphine generator model OMT 501 provides safer, quicker, more efficient dates disinfestation.

Differential pollinator response underlies plant reproductive resilience after fires.

Assessing the resilience of plant-animal interactions is critical to understanding how plant communities respond to habitat disturbances. Most ecosystems experience some level of natural disturbance (e.g. wildfires) to which many organisms are adapted. Wildfires have structured biotic communities for millennia; however, the effects of fire on interactions such as pollination have only recently received attention. A few studies have shown that generalist plants can buffer the impact of fires by pollinator replacement, suggesting that the resilience to disturbance could depend on the level of specialization of the interactions. Here, we hypothesize that (1) fires could impose negative effects on plants with specialized pollination systems, and (2) in large wildfires, these negative effects will be stronger with increasing distance inside the burnt area because pollinators will need more time to recolonize. These questions were tested in the specialized pollination system of a widespread Mediterranean palm, Chamaerops humilis. The post-fire pollination resilience was assessed in replicated wildfires representing three post-fire ages by measuring the abundance of beetle pollinators and by estimating fruit set (i.e. the proportion of flowers setting fruits) in burnt and unburnt areas. To test for distance effects, plants were sampled along transects inside the burnt area. Despite a marked post-fire decline in the specialist pollinator, exacerbated by the distance from the fire's edge, the palm's fruit set was barely affected. The temporary replacement by a sap beetle at burnt sites - an effective pollinator that had not been previously recognized - provided post-fire reproductive resilience. Differential pollinator responses to disturbance can ensure plant success even in plants with only two functionally similar pollinators. This highlights the importance of pollinator replacement and dynamics for the resilience of interactions and ultimately of plant reproduction in disturbance-prone ecosystems.

Seasonal and Regional Distributions, Degree-Day Models, and Phoresy Rates of the Major Sap Beetle (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) Vectors of the Oak Wilt Fungus, Bretziella fagacearum, in Wisconsin

Oak wilt is a lethal disease caused by the invasive fungus Bretziella fagacearum, which is transmitted belowground via root grafts and aboveground by sap beetles (Nitidulidae). Attempts to limit spread and impact of B. fagacearum emphasize limiting harvesting and pruning to periods of vector inactivity. However, there is limited information on sap beetle activity periods, responses to temperature, and phoresy frequencies of fungi. We sampled two major vectors in Wisconsin, Colopterus truncatus and Carpophilus sayi, for 2 yr to quantify their seasonal and geographic abundances. Trapping was performed in 12 oak stands, and beetles were assayed for B. fagacearum. C. truncatus was captured from March until November, peaking during April and May. C. sayi was captured from April until November, peaking in May and July. Relative abundances (N = 15,980) were 59.3% C. truncatus and 40.7% C. sayi. C. sayi was more abundant in southern Wisconsin, whereas C. truncatus was more evenly distributed. Both species were present at asymptomatic sites. All sites with oak wilt centers yielded beetles with viable fungal propagules, with the frequency of association ranging from 1 to 50%. Sites asymptomatic for oak wilt contained both beetle species, but no vector-borne viable pathogen. Degree-day models were constructed to improve the generality of these results and estimate cumulative emergences across a latitudinal range over the previous 10-yr means and extremes. Because activity by C. truncatus and C. sayi spans the seasonal activities of oak wilt vectors, these results can help guide oak management practices.

Heterorhabditis bacteriophora pampean-strain VEli (Nematoda): identification and pathogenicity against the strawberry pest Lobiopa insularis (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)

The pampean region in the Buenos Aires province of Argentina is a major horticultural area. Biological pesticides to control pest insects available in the market are scarce in this country and nonexistent based on entomonematodes. In this paper, we characterized a native entomopathogenic nematode isolated from soil in the pampas, and evaluated its infectivity and reproductive capacity in the strawberry sap beetle Lobiopa insularis. Morphological and molecular-genetic analysis determined this isolate to be a nematode of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, thereafter designated as the VEli strain. A 901-bp genomic-DNA fragment was isolated (GenBank Accesion No KJ575524). The new strain was pathogenic against L. insularis. In 200 ml containers with autoclaved clay soil (100 ml), at concentrations of 1,000; 5,000 and 10, 000 IJs, mortality in larvae ranged from 25 to 77 %. At a concentration of 10,000 IJs, infectivity was higher in larvae and pupae (77 ± 20% and 64 ± 25 %, respectively) than in adults (2.2 ± 1.1 %). The lethal concentration required to kill 50 and 90 % of the larvae (LC50 and LC90) over 10 days was 2,840 and 23,743 IJs. Differences were observed in the parasitism levels and emergence time of IJs between concentrations and stages, although not for production. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora strain VEli is the first entomopathogenic nematode found to infect and kill L. insularis, capable of completing its life cycle in all strawberry sap beetle stages. This availability would enable the establishment and subsequent dispersal of the strain in strawberry fields. Finally, this report constitutes the first presentation of data on the morphological, morphometric, and molecular-genetic characterization of a native entomopathogenic nematode strain from the Buenos Aires province, Argentina.

Pheromone Research and Development in Israel 1975–2015

The review describes the history of pheromone research in Israel in 1975–2015. The research focused on sex pheromones of moths that were important agricultural pests. Identification, synthesis and field application of sex pheromones was performed. Synthetic procedures of several known sex pheromones were developed. Monitoring and control of key pest moths was evaluated. The interactions of pheromone components of closely related species were studied in field and laboratory experiments. The sex pheromones of three scale insects, two mealybug species and Matsucoccus josephi were studied. New syntheses were developed and the pheromones were implemented in pest management. Structure activity relationship of the pheromonal and kairomonal of the M. josephi pheromone was investigated. Different pherotypes of P. ficus were identified and evaluated. The aggregation pheromone of sap beetles in combination with food baits was evaluated. The aggregation pheromone of the almond bark beetle was identified and a stereospecific synthesis of its enantiomers was developed. Monitoring the pest in stone fruit orchards was implemented. The activity of the pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) was studied in Helicoverpa armigera and Heliothis peltigera. The ligation technique was used to assess the effect of PBAN on the production of female and male pheromones. A structure-activity relationship study of PBAN indicated that shorter peptides display activity as the full length PBAN. A series of linear and cyclic peptide analogs was prepared, resulting in the discovery of a lead antagonist. The research and development activity facilitated the intensive integration of pheromones in the pest management regimes in Israeli agriculture.

Moisture content, insect pests and mycotoxin levels of maize at harvest and post-harvest in the Middle Belt of Ghana

Grain moisture content (MC), insect pest infestation and mycotoxin contamination of maize are challenges to food safety and security, especially in the tropics where maize is a staple grain. However, very little documentation is available on the impact of these factors on maize in Ghana. This study focused on post-harvest losses of maize and assessed grain MC, insect pests and mycotoxin (aflatoxin and fumonisin) levels on-farm at three stages, during the major and minor seasons (primary and secondary harvest seasons, respectively). Grain MC decreased significantly from the field stage (17.2–19.0%) to the post-drying stage (12.4–14.2%). The mean grain MC was significantly greater in the major season (20.4%) than in the minor season (12.5%). Maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella Olivier, square-neck grain beetle, Cathartus quadricollis Guerin-Meneville, and corn sap beetle, Carpophilus dimidiatus Fabricius were the dominant insect species that attacked maize on-farm. Mean numbers of each species were generally significantly greater in the minor season than in the major season, but in both seasons, greater numbers were detected at the heaping stage compared to field and post-drying stages. Percentage insect damaged kernels and weight loss were significantly lower at the field stage than at both the heaped and post-drying stages; statistically similar levels were observed in the latter two stages. Mean aflatoxin (ppb) and fumonisin (ppm) levels were significantly higher in the major season (29.1 ppb, 1.6 ppm) than in the minor season (3.5 ppb, 1.0 ppm). Results showed variation between locations sampled, but in general more insect damage and quality deterioration occurred during the major season compared to the minor season. Farmers should dry immediately after harvest to reduce risk of damage from insect pests and mycotoxins.