Cantharidae Research Articles

The genome sequence of a soldier beetle, Cantharis flavilabris Fallén, 1807

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Cantharis flavilabris (soldier beetle; Arthropoda; Insecta; Coleoptera; Cantharidae). The genome sequence is 348.3 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 7 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 17.5 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 22,711 protein coding genes.

Insect Pollinivores of Sorghum bicolor and Plant Traits that Influence Visitation1

Abstract Grasses such as sorghum, (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), are rarely considered as an important food resource for pollinators. Here, we report insects collecting or consuming pollen of sorghum over the 8-wk flowering period of a mapping population in Tifton, GA. We also examine the response of insects to plant morphological traits and disease damage and the ability of bumble bees (Bombus impatiens) to cross-pollinate sorghum. The most numerous insect observed collecting/consuming sorghum pollen was the hover fly Toxomerus politus Say (i.e., the maize calligrapher) followed by honey bees (Apis mellifera L.), lined earwigs (Doru taeniatum Dorhn), lovebugs (Plecia nearctica Hardy), southern carpenter bees (Xylocopa micans Lepeletier), common eastern bumble bees (Bombus impatiens Cresson), exotic stripetails (Allograpta exotica Wiedemann), margined soldier beetles (Chauliognathus marginatus F.), a signal fly (Rivellia sp. Robineau-Desvoidy), and a dusky-winged hover fly (Ocyptamus fuscipennis Say). Maximum flowering occurred at Week 3, which coincided with the maximum number of maize calligraphers, bumble bees, and honey bees observed. A positive linear relationship was seen between the number of flowering plots and the number of maize calligraphers and honey bees. The probability of observing a bee on a panicle increased as plant height increased, whereas the probability of observing a bee or hover fly decreased as plant disease percentage increased. These results suggest that inflorescence abundance, plant height, and plant disease impact bee visitation in sorghum. Furthermore, field-captured bumble bees successfully fertilized sorghum in a greenhouse study, suggesting that bumblebees can pollinate sorghum flowers in field conditions.

First representative of the genus Lycocerus Gorham, 1889 (Coleoptera, Cantharidae) from Rovno amber

A new species of soldier beetles of the subfamily Cantharinae, Lycocerus albovacca sp. n., from Eocene Rovno amber is described and illustrated. It is the first record of a representative of the genus Lycocerus Gorham, 1889 in Rovno amber. A checklist and an identification key to fossil Lycocerus are presented, with seven species from Baltic and one from Rovno amber. The presumable ecological preferences of the new taxon are discussed.

On the status and origin of the endemic to the South Urals soldier beetles (Coleoptera: Cantharidae)

On the status and origin of the endemic to the South Urals soldier beetles (Coleoptera: Cantharidae)

The genome sequence of a soldier beetle, Cantharis flavilabris Fallén, 1807.

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Cantharis flavilabris (soldier beetle; Arthropoda; Insecta; Coleoptera; Cantharidae). The genome sequence is 348.3 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 7 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 17.5 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 22,711 protein coding genes.

A new species of Eocene soldier beetle, a Malthodes (Coleoptera: Cantharidae: Malthininae) in Baltic amber

ABSTRACT A new species of soldier beetle (Cantharidae) from Eocene Baltic amber, Malthodes maierae sp. nov., is described and illustrated from a male specimen discovered in Russia. The new species differs from the hundreds of known extant and extinct species of Malthodes Kiesenwetter, 1852. The last abdominal segments, which are substantially modified on the male to hold the female during mating, differ considerably in Malthodes species and are very important diagnostic elements for this genus. The exact evolutionary forces driving these manifold modifications are unknown, but they are likely related to sexual selection, mate recognition, antagonistic coevolution, or varying habitats, or a combination of two or more of these factors. The Zoobank LSID for this is: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:DC13FC31-BD71-4C3D-9536-B70AF65FB699

<div>A new fossil Malthodes (Coleoptera: Cantharidae) from the Baltic amber Lagerstätte</div>

A new species of soldier beetle (family Cantharidae) from Eocene Baltic amber: Malthodes (s. str.) vallombrosa sp. nov., is described, diagnosed and illustrated. The morphological affinities with the most similar species are discussed. The Eocene Baltic amber was very rich in species of the genus Malthodes. The evolution of these insects probably began after or near the mass extinction that occurred 66 Ma.

Four new species of Burmomiles (Coleoptera, Cantharidae) from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber

Here we describe four new fossil species of soldier beetles, Burmomiles brevicollis sp. nov., B. angustipennis sp. nov., B. recticollis sp. nov., B. dentatus sp. nov., which are collected from the mid-Cretaceous amber in Kachin (Hukawng valley) of Northern Myanmar. They are placed in Burmomiles Fanti, Damgaard et Ellenberger, 2018 based on the male antennomeres IV‒X each with an antennal appendage inserted at a basal cavity on the ventral side, and tibiae hardly longer than femora, tarsomeres I normal and less than twice as long as II. Moreover, with more species added, the key for the identification of all Burmomiles species is updated. These results will significantly expand our knowledge on the species diversity of Burmite cantharids.

A new species of Eocene fossil Malthodes (Coleoptera: Cantharidae) with a rarely observed aedeagus.

A new Malthodes (Coleoptera, Cantharidae, Malthininae) in Eocene amber from Poland (Baltic amber) is illustrated and described here: Malthodes (s. str.) maximiliani sp. nov. The new species of soldier beetle is characterized by its small body size and last tergites and last sternite distinct from similar taxa. Notably, the specimen has a partially visible aedeagus, a characteristic rarely seen in fossil Malthodes of the nominotypical subgenus; it has been observed in only three fossil species of this subgenus.

The genome sequence of a soldier beetle, Malthinus flaveolus (Herbst, 1786)

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Malthinus flaveolus (soldier beetle; Arthropoda; Insecta; Coleoptera; Cantharidae). The genome sequence is 236.7 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 6 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 19.27 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 16,617 protein coding genes.

The first New World record for Zoophthora rhagonycharum (Bałazy) S. Keller (Zoopagomycota, Entomophthorales) infecting Rhagonycha spp. (Coleoptera, Cantharidae)

The entomophthoralean fungus Zoophthora rhagonycharum (Bałazy) S. Keller, previously recorded in Europe from Poland and Switzerland, is now reported in North America from New York State, United States of America. On both continents, this obligate insect pathogen is known only from resting spores found within dead, adult native soldier beetles (Cantharidae) of the genus Rhagonycha Eschscholtz, 1830. Resting spores have undulating, light brown episporia. In New York, columnar rhizoids attach cadavers tightly to the undersides of leaves in the understory of hardwood forests in late June and early July.

The genome sequence of a solider beetle, Cantharis nigra (DeGeer, 1774)

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Cantharis nigra (a soldier beetle; Arthropoda; Insecta; Coleoptera; Cantharidae). The genome sequence is 397.8 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 7 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 17.81 kilobases in length.

The genome sequence of a soldier beetle, Cantharis rufa (Linnaeus, 1758).

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Cantharis rufa (soldier beetle; Arthropoda; Insecta; Coleoptera; Cantharidae). The genome sequence is 355.3 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 7 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 17.34 kilobases in length.

A review of soldier beetles of the genus Rhagonycha Eschscholtz, 1833 (Coleoptera: Cantharidae) of Siberia, with description of a new species

A review of soldier beetles of the genus Rhagonycha Eschscholtz, 1833 (Coleoptera: Cantharidae) of Siberia, with description of a new species

Untangling the evolution of soldier beetles (Coleoptera: Cantharidae) and the evaluation of the morphological phylogenetic signal in a soft-bodied elateroid lineage.

This study addresses the long-standing uncertainty about the internal classification of soldier beetles (Elateroidea: Cantharidae). Four datasets were compiled and analysed: 66 genes for 14 terminals, 15 mtDNA genes for 79 terminals, one mtDNA and two rRNA genes for 217 terminals, and barcodes for 576 terminals. Based on congruent topologies, Chauliognathinae is proposed as a sister to the remaining Cantharidae, followed by the redefined Malthininae (including Tytthonyxini), the paraphyletic "dysmorphocerine" lineages (Dysmorphocerinae sensu stricto and Heteromastiginae subfam. nov.), and Silinae + Cantharinae as a terminal clade. The present phylogeny supersedes earlier morphology and short-fragment molecular hypotheses that have not converged on a consensus. Few morphological characters corroborate the DNA-based relationships (see the adults and larval keys). However, morphology-based hypotheses have relied on a few informative characters, and no evidence strongly rejects the preferred molecular topology. The interpretation of morphological characters and uncertain polarity resulting from the high phenotypic disparity of Elateroidea are discussed in detail. The dated phylogeny hypothesizes the earliest split within the Cantharidae in the Berriasian stage (Early Cretaceous, ~141 Myr) and the diversification of most extant subfamilies and tribes already in the Late Cretaceous. The most diverse subfamily, Cantharinae, represents a delayed radiation that started during the Eocene climatic optimum, 55.5 Myr. The late origin of Cantharinae questions the classification of Cretaceous Cantharidae as members of Cantharinae. Instead, the results suggest their deeper rooting after separating from dysmorphocerine lineages and before the node between Cantharinae and Silinae.

Two new species of soldier beetles (Coleoptera: Cantharidae) from Eocene Baltic amber, including one with a rare type of antennae

Two new species of the family Cantharidae from Baltic amber are described and illustrated: Sucinorhagonycha fabrizioi sp. nov. (Cantharinae, Cacomorphocerini) and Cantharis (Cantharis) samsocki sp. nov. (Cantharinae, Cantharini). The former is particularly notable because it has 12 antennomeres, a characteristic that is relatively rare among the world’s extant beetles, particularly in soldier beetles. This fascinating characteristic and why it may have evolved are explored here.

The first species of Cantharis from Ukrainian Rovno amber (Coleoptera, Cantharidae).

Cantharis michaeli sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Upper Eocene Rovno amber from Ukraine. This is the first fossil Cantharis (soldier beetles, Cantharidae) from this deposit. The new species is compared with other fossil species of the genus Cantharis. It is similar to C. raeorum Fanti & M. G. Pankowski, 2020, but C. michaeli sp. nov. has a larger body, shorter antennae, and slight differences in both its antennae and pronotum. A review is provided of other soldier beetles found in Rovno amber, as well as a brief overview of the paleoenvironment where this amber formedan area that included extensive forests, large rivers, and warm temperatures.

Trapezioceps longelytrum, a new genus and species of soldier beetle (Coleoptera: Cantharidae) from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber of northern Myanmar

A new genus and species of the beetle family Cantharidae, Trapezioceps longelytrum gen. et sp. nov., is described from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber of northern Myanmar. The new genus can be attributed to the subfamily Cantharinae and the tribe Cantharini based on its unmodified pronotal margins, well-developed elytra, the maxillary palpomeres different in length to the last securiform segment, tibial spurs present and symmetrical caudal segments. The new genus mainly differs from the other genera of Cantharini due to its trapezoidal head, serrate antennae, trapezoidal pronotum, and long elytra completely covering the abdomen.

Analysis of host plant availability and use by 2 species of soldier beetles (Coleoptera: Cantharidae) using community-gathered digital specimens

Abstract Digital specimens collected by community members are a largely untapped source of entomological data. By mining and curating data from photo observations uploaded to online community data repositories, researchers can utilize this wealth of information to address questions about predator–prey interactions, phenotypic variation within species, plant–pollinator interactions, and a host of other topics. We mined data from photo observations on the community science website iNaturalist to investigate patterns in host plant availability and affiliation by 2 species of soldier beetles, Chauliognathus marginatus (F.) and Chauliognathus pensylvanicus (De Geer). Chauliognathus marginatus was observed with white flowers more than expected based on their potential availability, while C. pensylvanicus was observed with yellow flowers over all other flower colors and more than expected based on their potential availability. Communities of flowers available to, and observed with, C. marginatus and C. pensylvanicus differed significantly at the family and genus levels. To our knowledge, this is the first study to utilize a dataset mined and curated from community science photo observations to address species-specific behavior and ecology questions. With appropriate study design and analytical methods, these types of data could prove invaluable in future investigations of a variety of entomological and ecological questions.

Six new species of fossil soldier beetles (Coleoptera: Cantharidae) from Eocene Baltic amber

We describe and illustrate six new species of the family Cantharidae from Baltic amber: Sucinorhagonycha maryae sp. nov. (Cantharinae, Cacomorphocerini), Podistra madelineae sp. nov. (Cantharinae, Cantharini), Malthinus (Malthinus) karenpankowskiae sp. nov. (Malthininae, Malthinini), Malthinus (Malthinus) pauljohnsoni sp. nov. (Malthininae, Malthinini), Malthodes (Libertimalthodes) betseyae sp. nov. (Malthininae, Malthodini) and Malthodes (Malthodes) greenwalti sp. nov. (Malthininae, Malthodini). These new taxa add to the astonishing palaeodiversity documented in Baltic amber, demonstrating the wide range of organisms thriving in European forests and wooded areas during the Eocene. Extant species of Malthodes, Malthinus and Podistra also provide important clues to how these extinct taxa lived, fed and reproduced some 35–40 million years ago.