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Udeus Champion, 1902 is a weevil genus in the tribe Eugnomini associated with the inflorescences of Cecropia Loefl. (Urticaceae), with 11 valid species distributed in the Neotropics. Species of Udeus are generally rare in collections and their biology is poorly known, despite a high abundance in nature. Here, we describe Udeus cerradensis Lira, de Medeiros & Grossi, sp. nov. from the Brazilian Cerrado, including the first descriptions of larvae and pupae for a Neotropical eugnomine. We assess their role as potential pollinators of their host plant Cecropia saxatilis Snethl. and find that adults do not visit pistillate flowers and therefore are unlikely to be pollinators. This contrasts with previous reports in a different pair of species in Cecropia‐Udeus, suggesting that pollinator agents vary between species in this plant genus. Finally, we provide notes about the predation of larvae of U. cerradensis by social wasps Synoeca surinama (L.) and Protopolybia aff. sedula (Saussure), revealing that, in this instance, an endophytic larva does not prevent predation by a behaviourally flexible predator. This study is the first of a series on the natural history of Udeus and their specialised interactions with host plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction notice for a paper published in the journal Insects. The original paper did not comply with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, which requires online taxonomic papers to be registered in the Official Register of Zoological Nomenclature (ZooBank) and contain evidence of registration. Because the paper was not registered in ZooBank, the new taxonomic names proposed in the paper are not available under the Code. This correction notice aims to make those names available by registering them in ZooBank. The document provides the new taxonomic names and their descriptions, as well as the necessary bibliographic references. [Extracted from the article]

To improve performance in terms of overshoot and motor response speed when a permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) with a proportional–integral (PI) controller is subjected to external disturbances, this paper proposes a speed control strategy based on an enhanced Beetle Antennae Search algorithm, which allows for adjustable parameters of the PI controller within a certain range. Firstly, to enhance the global and local search capabilities of each individual beetle, the step size was improved by linearly decreasing it. Secondly, a simulation model of a PMSM closed-loop control system was built to verify the effectiveness of the improved Beetle Antennae Search (BAS) algorithm. Finally, a linear feedback shift register model that generates four random numbers was developed on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The improved BAS algorithm for the PMSM control system was implemented on an FPGA using the Verilog hardware description language, and the feasibility of the system was verified through hardware simulation. Additionally, the hardware resource consumption on different FPGA platforms was analyzed. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed new speed control strategy can reduce the overshoot and improve the motor response speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper highlighted the occurrence of Timarcha turbida (Erichson 1841) as an artichoke pest for the first time in Tunisian crops. In fact, Timarcha was never be reported previously to develop on a Compositae (Asteraceae) host plant. Here, larva and adult stages of the pest are described and host plants affinities in genus Timarcha are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the problems of identifying storage pest tobacco pest beetles from images that have few object pixels and considerable image noise, and therefore suffer from lack of information and identifiable features, this paper proposes an automatic monitoring method of tobacco beetle based on Multi-scale Global residual Feature Pyramid Network and Dual-path Deformable Attention (MGrFPN-DDrGAM). Firstly, a Multi-scale Global residual Feature Pyramid Network (MGrFPN) is constructed to obtain rich high-level semantic features and more complete information on low-level features to reduce missed detection; Then, a Dual-path Deformable receptive field Guided Attention Module (DDrGAM) is designed to establish long-range channel dependence, guide the effective fusion of features and improve the localization accuracy of tobacco beetles by fitting the spatial geometric deformation features of and capturing the spatial information of feature maps with different scales to enrich the feature information in the channel and spatial. Finally, to simulate a real scene, a multi-scene tobacco beetle dataset is created. The dataset includes 28,080 images and manually labeled tobacco beetle objects. The experimental results show that under the framework of the Faster R-CNN algorithm, the detection precision and recall rate of this method can reach 91.4% and 98.4% when the intersection ratio (IoU) is 0.5. Compared with Faster R-CNN and FPN, when the intersection ratio (IoU) is 0.7, the detection precision is improved by 32.9% and 6.9%, respectively. The proposed method is superior to the current mainstream methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of wear of the joint cuticle of the beetle legs is demonstrated experimentally and is represented by abrasive wear. Presence of the abrasive wear in the natural‐habiting beetles of various families is also established. Abrasive wear comprises of both two‐body and three‐body wear as a result of the action of particles that have entered the joint. The presence of the sliding wear in the absence of abrasive particles is not found. The wear effects are represented by microcuttings, indentations, cracking, delamination, brittle fracturing, and destruction of the surface layer (epicuticle). The correlation of quantitative indicators of wear between the types of experimental substrates (paper, wood, sand) and the length of exposure of beetles on a particular substrate turned out to be very weak. It is hypothesized that the lubricating material in the leg joints of beetles may provide an anti‐wear function by binding particles and facilitating their removal thereby reducing surface damage by sharp asperities, and protecting the damaged surface to prevent further wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cleopus Dejean, 1821, a genus belonging to the tribe Cionini Schoenherr, 1825 of the large subfamily Curculioninae and the family Curculionidae, is distributed in the Oriental and Palaearctic regions. This paper reviews all valid species of the genus based on morphological characters for the first time. Five already known species are redescribed, and thirteen species new to the science are described. This is the fourth part of the revision of the tribe Cionini after three revisions of Palaearctic, Afrotropical, and Oriental species of the genus Cionus Clairville, 1798. Beside detailed descriptions and redescriptions, illustrations of habitus and male genitalia, diagnoses, remarks and comparative notes, biological notes, distribution, lists of examined specimens, and a key to all valid species are given. The genus Cleopus Dejean, 1821 is herein revised for the first time. Based on adult morphological characteristics, 18 species are recognized as valid. Thirteen species, all distributed in the Eastern Palaearctis or Oriental region, are described as new: C. aduncirostris sp. n.; C. cognatus sp. n.; C. confusus sp. n.; C. dohertyi sp. n.; C. hajeki sp. n.; C. lirenae sp. n.; C. longitarsis sp. n.; C. minutus sp. n.; C. pallidisquamosus sp. n.; C. parvidentatus sp. n.; C. philippinensis sp. n.; C. simillimus sp. n.; and C. subaequalis sp. n. Lectotypes of following two valid species and three synonyms were designated: Curculio solani Fabricius, 1792; Curculio pulchellus Herbst, 1795; Cionus setiger Germar, 1821; Curculio immunis Marsham, 1802; and Cleopus pulchellus rigidus Stephens, 1831. Neotypes of Curculio perpensus Rossi, 1792 and Cleopus pulchellus flavus Stephens, 1832 were designated. The following new synonyms of Cleopus pulchellus (Herbst, 1795) were established: Cleopus pulchellus var. flavus Stephens, 1831 syn. n. and C. pulchellus var. rigidus Stephens, 1831 syn. n. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deployable hind wings of beetles led to a bio-inspired idea to design deployable micro aerial vehicles (MAVs) to meet the requirement of miniaturization. In this paper, a bionic deployable wing (BD-W) model is designed based on the folding mechanism and elliptical wing vein structure of the Protaetia brevitarsis hindwing, and its structural static and aerodynamic characteristics are analyzed by using ANSYS Workbench. Finally, the 3D-printed bionic deployable wing was tested in a wind tunnel and compared with simulation experiments to explore the effects of different incoming velocity, flapping frequency, and angle of attack on its aerodynamic characteristics, which resulted in the optimal combination of the tested parameters, among which, the incoming velocity is 3 m/s, the flapping frequency is 10 Hz, the angle of attack is 15°, and the lift-to-drag ratio of this parameter combination is 4.91. The results provide a theoretical basis and technical reference for the further development of bionic flapping wing for MAV applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several important papers discussing phoretic dispersal in animals have appeared in recent years, but the nature and evolutionary significance of the phenomenon are still not fully understood. This article reviews the current knowledge of this behaviour in Uropodina mites, which disperse at the deutonymphal stage. We first examine the morphological and behavioural attributes of Uropodina deutonymphs involved in phoretic dispersal. We then provide a systematic review of the animals that carry Uropodina, and examine the carrier-specificity of 30 well-known species. Most species are associated with a single family of carriers, or at most, two families. The available information shows that phoretic deutonymphs of most species do not show any preference for male or female carriers. The spatial pattern of attachment of phoretic deutonymphs varies according to the identity of the carrier insect. The nature of deutonymph infestation depends on the size and morphology of both the mite and its carrier. Successful phoresy also depends on synchronisation of the life cycles of the mite and its carrier, but the temporal dynamics of phoresy remain particularly poorly studied. Phoresy has ecological and evolutionary consequences for both the Uropodina and their carriers. Future research on phoresy will benefit from studies of its evolutionary development, the reasons why beetles appear to be specially favoured as carriers, how phoretic mites affect the insect that carries them, and how the apparent global decline in insect populations is affecting their symbiotic mites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Synchroa medogensis, a new species of Synchroidae Lacordaire, 1859, is described and illustrated, based on a single male collected from Mêdog, Xizang, China. This new species is close to S. elongatula Nikitsky, 1999 and S. melanotoides Lewis, 1895, but could be distinguished by the elongated antennae and elytra, the apically narrowed prosternal process and the stout parameres. New information: The new information of this new species provided in this paper include: description, type information, distribution and comparison amongst S. medogensis sp. nov., S. elongatula and S. melanotoides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Coleoptera is the most species-rich order of animals with the widest distribution area; however, little is known about its global suitability distribution, and a substantial number of species are experiencing silent extinction. Most of Earth's biocommunities are concentrated in biodiversity hotspots, and these hotspots receive the largest investment of conservation funds. The survival of beetles is closely related to the richness of biodiversity, so habitat loss in hotspots results in a high extinction risk for beetles. Methods: We used the MaxEnt model to simulate the spatial suitable distribution in six time periods (1970-1980,1980-1990,1990-2000, 2000-2010, 2010-2020, and 1970-2020). Furthermore, we determined the priority suitable regions in hotspots after coupling the current biodiversity zones and evaluated the congruence between the suitable habitat of beetles and hotspots. Results: The results revealed that less than 30% of suitable regions were located in hotspots, and approximately 49.08% of the suitable habitat remained constant in all six periods, and can be regarded as climatically stable refugia. The Mediterranean Basin had the largest suitable area in each period and was always ranked first; other regions, such as Indo-Burma, Irano-Anatolian, and Mesoamerica, also had large areas of suitable habitat. Nine excellent, ten stable, and seventeen lower hotspots were identified based on their dynamic changes in 36 hotspots. Discussion: Based on these results, corresponding planning and management measures should be implemented in different biodiversity hotspots according to the changes in geographic distribution. In this paper, we propose practical advice for different regions to improve isolated and fragmented habitats, which will support the conservation of Coleoptera taxa and the restoration of biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: There is increasing interest in the study of how the ongoing climate change is affecting insect populations. However, most research has been focused on a limited number of groups that are particularly charismatic or expected to respond more clearly to climate change. Moreover, most research has been developed in a few areas (especially northern and central European countries), while others (such as the Mediterranean basin) have been largely overlooked. Therefore, more empirical research is needed, particularly on less charismatic species, groups that are expected to react less dramatically to climatic change, and key areas that are still poorly investigated. This study investigates changes in distributional and activity patterns in a common, ecologically tolerant, forest tenebrionid beetle in a region (central Italy) within the Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot, an area strongly subjected to the ongoing climate change, but for which research is still limited. By analyzing changes in elevation, latitude, longitude, and seasonal activity between 1900–1980 and 1981–2022, the results provided insights into the potential effects of climate change on this species. The beetle's average values of elevation and latitude were found to have been increased in the second period. In response to rising temperatures, the species became more frequent at higher elevation and in northern places. No strong evidence was found for an earlier species seasonal activity, but this could be due to the inclusion in the analysis of likely overwintering individuals. The findings suggest that even thermally tolerant species can undergo distributional shifts in elevation and latitude, even at a relatively small scale. There is an increasing volume of literature on the impact of climate change on insects. However, there is an urgent need for more empirical research on underrepresented groups in key areas, including species for which the effects of climatic change may seem less evident. The present paper illustrates the results of a study on a common forest tenebrionid beetle, Accanthopus velikensis (Piller and Mitterpacher, 1783), at a regional scale within the Mediterranean basin. Using a large set of records from Latium (central Italy), changes in the median values of elevation, latitude, longitude, and phenology between two periods (1900–1980 vs. 1981–2022) were tested. Records of A. velikensis in the period 1981–2022 showed median values of elevation and latitude higher than those recorded in the first period. Thus, in response to rising temperatures, the species became more frequent at higher elevation and in northern places. By contrast, A. velikensis does not seem to have changed its activity pattern in response to increased temperatures, but this might be an artifact due to the inclusion of likely overwintering individuals. The results obtained for A. velikensis indicate that even thermally euryoecious species can show changes in their elevational and latitudinal distribution, and that poleward shifts can be apparent even within a small latitudinal gradient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, is a highly polyphagous Scarabaeidae native to Japan that colonized North America and Azores in the last century and has recently invaded Italy and Switzerland. Considering its economic impact on the horticulture and turfgrass industries, this species was ranked within the EU priority pests list in 2019. According to the EU Convention on Biological Diversity, the identification of invasion routes is a pivotal aspect in an effective management program aimed at controlling invasive alien species. To reconstruct the source of introductions of this pest, we investigated the genetic variability of P. japonica in its native and invaded areas worldwide by analyzing 9 microsatellite loci and two mitochondrial genes, COX I and CytB. In its native area, P. japonica is structured into two populations: one in the southern and another in the northern-central region of Japan. A limited area within central Japan was identified as the putative source of the North American outbreak. Moreover, the ABC inference and phylogeographic reconstruction suggest that two European populations originated from two independent introductions. The Azores Islands outbreak occurred approximately 50 years ago and originated from the southeastern region of North America (For simplicity, in this paper North America refers to Canada and the USA), while the second introduction, more recently, occurred in Italy and Switzerland and originated from northeastern region of North America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces Bityle oriens sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Apomecynini) from Boston, Province of Davao Oriental, Philippines. A catalog of the known species of the genus Bityle is also presented. Coleoptera expeditions need to be undertaken to discover more novel species, especially in the understudied islands of the Philippine archipelago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unknown females of Astaena nigrocephalaLago, 2021 and males of A. paracorrugataLago, 2021 are described, both from specimens collected in western Panama near the original type localities. Errata for the Lago, 2021 paper are included in the discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomic study of the tribe Epilachnini was carried out in the district Fatehabad, Haryana from 2022 to 2023. This study revealed the presence of two species in Coccinellidae i.e., Epilachna chrysomelina (Fabricius), and Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Fabricius). Both the species are re-described as no taxonomic work has been done on this tribe from this region. This paper provides a detailed taxonomy of all the species identified during the present study based on the morphology of adults as well as other taxonomic features like coxal lines, mandibles, antennae, male genitalia and female genital plates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The phylogenetic status of the family Nitidulidae and its sister group relationship remain controversial. Also, the phylogenetic status of the subfamily Meligethinae and its phylogenetic relationships with other subfamilies of Nitidulidae are not fully understood. Mitochondrial genome sequences can be used to study species identification, phylogeny, and population genetic structure, and to provide valuable molecular markers for further genetic studies. In this paper, two complete mitochondrial genomes of Meligethinae were provided for the first time, and the phylogenetic status of the family Nitidulidae and subfamily Meligethinae were explored based on the complete mitochondrial genomes. A comparative analysis of the general characteristics and non-coding region patterns of the complete mitochondrial genomes of Meligethinus tschungseni and Brassicogethes affinis revealed that the base composition and mitochondrial genome structure of these two species are markedly different. Given the results of the phylogenetic analysis based on 20 mitochondrial genomes, the status of Nitidulidae and its sister group relationship is discussed. We also attempted to analyze the taxonomic status of Meligethinae and its sister group relationship. This study will provide a basis for further studies on the higher phylogeny of Nitidulidae. The phylogenetic status of the family Nitidulidae and its sister group relationship remain controversial. Also, the status of the subfamily Meligethinae is not fully understood, and previous studies have been mainly based on morphology, molecular fragments, and biological habits, rather than the analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome. Up to now, there has been no complete mitochondrial genome report of Meligethinae. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genomes of Meligethinus tschungseni and Brassicogethes affinis (both from China) were provided, and they were compared with the existing complete mitochondrial genomes of Nitidulidae. The phylogenetic analysis among 20 species of Coleoptera was reconstructed via PhyloBayes analysis and Maximum likelihood (ML) analysis, respectively. The results showed that the full lengths of Meligethinus tschungseni and Brassicogethes affinis were 15,783 bp and 16,622 bp, and the AT contents were 77% and 76.7%, respectively. Each complete mitochondrial genome contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), and a control region (A + T-rich region). All the PCGs begin with the standard start codon ATN (ATA, ATT, ATG, ATC). All the PCGs terminate with a complete terminal codon, TAA or TAG, except cox1, cox2, nad4, and nad5, which terminate with a single T. Furthermore, all the tRNAs have a typical clover-leaf secondary structure except trnS1, whose DHU arm is missing in both species. The two newly sequenced species have different numbers and lengths of tandem repeat regions in their control regions. Based on the genetic distance and Ka/Ks analysis, nad6 showed a higher variability and faster evolutionary rate. Based on the available complete mitochondrial genomes, the results showed that the four subfamilies (Nitidulinae, Meligethinae, Carpophilinae, Epuraeinae) of Nitidulidae formed a monophyletic group and further supported the sister group relationship of Nitidulidae + Kateretidae. In addition, the taxonomic status of Meligethinae and the sister group relationship between Meligethinae and Nitidulinae (the latter as currently circumscribed) were also preliminarily explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Illeis chinensis feeds on various powdery mildews. It plays a vital role in spreading spores. This paper provides a detailed description of the fine morphology of each of the mouthparts of I. chinensis along with a careful identification and classification of its diverse sensilla types. Specifically, the differences between I. chinensis and predatory ladybeetles are compared, and the functions of each of the mouthparts, as well as their different kinds of sensilla, are discussed. The morphological diversity of insect mouthparts is closely related to changes in food sources and diets. Research into the structures of insect mouthparts may help to establish a fundamental basis for a better understanding of insect feeding mechanisms. In this study, we examined the fine morphology of the mouthparts of Illeis chinensis using scanning electron microscopy. We paid particular attention to the types, quantities, and distribution of sensilla on the mouthparts. Our results showed that the basic components of the mouthparts of I. chinensis are the same as those in other lady beetles, i.e., the labrum, mandible, maxillae, labium, and hypopharynx. We also found structural specialization indicating adaptation to fungal feeding. On the mouthparts, there are eight kinds of sensilla and two kinds of glandular structures, including sensilla chaetica, sensilla basiconica, sensilla styloconica, sensilla coeloconica, sensilla campaniformia, sensilla placodea, sensilla digitiformia, Böhm bristles, perforated plates, and cuticular pores. This is the first time that sensilla digitiformia has been reported in ladybirds. Finally, variations in mouthparts among ladybirds with differing diets, as well as the putative functions of each of the mouthparts and sensilla, were discussed. This research can provide a reference for understanding the functions of the mouthparts in ladybird feeding behavior and thereby contribute to the development of precise insect behavior regulation and management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The range of interactions between Cladosporium, a ubiquitous fungal genus, and insects, a class including about 60% of the animal species, is extremely diverse. The broad case history of antagonism and mutualism connecting Cladosporium and insects is reviewed in this paper based on the examination of the available literature. Certain strains establish direct interactions with pests or beneficial insects or indirectly influence them through their endophytic development in plants. Entomopathogenicity is often connected to the production of toxic secondary metabolites, although there is a case where these compounds have been reported to favor pollinator attraction, suggesting an important role in angiosperm reproduction. Other relationships include mycophagy, which, on the other hand, may reflect an ecological advantage for these extremely adaptable fungi using insects as carriers for spreading in the environment. Several Cladosporium species colonize insect structures, such as galleries of ambrosia beetles, leaf rolls of attelabid weevils and galls formed by cecidomyid midges, playing a still uncertain symbiotic role. Finally, the occurrence of Cladosporium in the gut of several insect species has intriguing implications for pest management, also considering that some strains have proven to be able to degrade insecticides. These interactions especially deserve further investigation to understand the impact of these fungi on pest control measures and strategies to preserve beneficial insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A chance discovery early in 1980 led to a body of work on a virus and a rare species that lasted until the end of the decade. The discovery and characterisation of turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV-Cd) infecting one-fifth of the fragmented population of Cardamine robusta at Mt Kosciuszko, New South Wales, revealed a puzzle that remains unresolved. There is no clear explanation as to why there is a population of TYMV here in the Southern Hemisphere whose sequence has only diverged from Northern Hemisphere TYMV by a few percent. Adding to the mystery is the fact that TYMV-Cd only infects one of the rarest and geographically most restricted species in Australia, while it is surrounded by potential hosts known to be infected in the Northern Hemisphere. This article reviews research published on TYMV at Mt Kosciuszko during the 1980s and 1990s. While human agency cannot be ruled out, indications are that TYMV established without human intervention. The work is set in a historical context and highlights some of the changes around how plant virology is done. A chance discovery in alpine Australia in 1980 led to the discovery of a virus in a remote and rare species of plant. The virus has clear connections with a virus in the Northern Hemisphere. The way we study plant virology has changed over the intervening years but the mystery as to how the virus got there remains. Photograph by: PL Guy 2004. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, a comprehensive cytogenetic analysis of three species of tenebrionid beetles: Alphitobius diaperinus, Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas morio, is presented. This paper also contains a review of the cytogenetic information for each species and adds new data. The male karyotype of both T. molitor and Z. morio is 2n = 18 + Xyp, with large heterochromatic blocks in the pericentromeric regions of all chromosomes. The male A. diaperinus karyotype is 2n = 18 + X0, also with heterochromatic pericentromeric regions in all chromosomes. The location of the nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) differs in each species: in A. diaperinus, it is located on the smallest pair of autosomes, while in T. molitor, it is on two pairs of autosomes and both sex chromosomes. In contrast, it is exclusively located on the X chromosome in Z. morio. Telomere analysis revealed that all species have TCAGG repeats in their telomeres, but lack the canonical TTAGG insect telomeric motif. In addition, a study of the distribution of satellite DNA and composition revealed that each species has a main satellite DNA family forming the pericentromeric heterochromatin. Fluorescence in situ hybridization of each of these satellites did not produce hybridization signal in the other two species, indicating a divergence in repetitive DNA composition among them. This study adds to the understanding of chromosomal organization, heterochromatin distribution and repetitive DNA dynamics in tenebrionid beetles and sheds light on their cytogenetic diversity and evolutionary significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the relationship between beetles and flowers in Australia. It highlights the variety of beetle species that visit flowers for food and as rendezvous points. The article provides examples of specific beetle species and their interactions with different types of flowers. It also mentions that beetles can serve as pollinators for certain plant species. The article concludes by emphasizing the ecological importance of beetles and flowers in urban and suburban environments. [Extracted from the article]

The efficient allocation of resources is a critical challenge in the context of Narrowband IoT(NB-IoT) networks. This paper presents the Hybrid Namib Antenna Beetle optimization with Refraction Reverse Learning (HNAB-RRL) algorithm, which combines the Namib Antenna Beetle Optimization (NAB) and Beetle Antenna Search (BAS) Optimization algorithms with the Refraction Reverse Learning (RRL) algorithm to optimize resource allocation. The HNAB-RRL algorithm is designed to allocate available resources to multiple users efficiently and optimally. The algorithm takes into account factors such as signal-to-noise ratio, data rate, and available bandwidth to allocate resources to each user. The NAB and BAS algorithms are used to explore the search space and identify candidate solutions. These algorithms use a combination of local and global search strategies to find optimal solutions. The NAB algorithm focuses on finding the best combination of subcarriers and timeslots, while the BAS algorithm optimizes the allocation of power to the subcarriers. The RRL algorithm refines and optimizes the candidate solutions identified by the NAB and BAS algorithms. This machine learning technique learns from previous resource allocation decisions to improve future allocations. The algorithm takes into account factors such as user requirements, available resources, and previous allocation decisions to make optimal resource allocation decisions. The HNAB-RRL algorithm continuously updates the RRL algorithm with new resource allocation decisions to improve future allocations, leading to higher network throughput and better performance overall. The experimentation results revealed that the proposed HNAB-RRL model requires less time to run, provides better group fairness, and enhances performance while reducing high complexity. The achieved throughput is 105 Kbit/s, which is higher than existing methods such as E-CORA, fusion, and greedy algorithms. Overall, the HNAB-RRL algorithm provides a powerful and effective approach to resource allocation in NB-IoT networks, combining the strengths of multiple optimization techniques to find the best possible solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) are the ultimate solution for preventing road accidents, which result in the loss of precious human life worldwide. In this context, effective communication between the vehicular nodes is essential due to the varying network topology and high vehicular mobility inherent with VANETs. Cluster‐based routing is identified to be a significant approach for achieving efficient routing and improving communication proficiency in VANETs. In this paper, a beetle colony optimization algorithm–based clustering scheme (BCOACS) is proposed for generating optimized clusters for facilitating reliable data dissemination. This BCOACS algorithm includes two vital strategies such as beetle antenna search (BAS) and swarm intelligence for attaining inter‐cluster and intra‐cluster communications. In specific, BAS strategy that includes random search attributed toward gradient direction is used for intra‐cluster communication without using the complete amount of gradient information. On the other hand, a swarm intelligence strategy that encompasses a collective approach of self‐organized and decentralized agents is used for inter‐cluster communication with the view to minimize the load on each cluster head (CH) and to extend the clusters' lifetime. The simulation outcomes of the proposed BCOACS scheme confirmed improved performance in optimizing the number of constructed clusters independent of the increase in the network grid size, transmission range, and number of vehicular nodes in the network compared to the benchmarked approaches. The results also confirmed that the proposed BCOACS scheme achieved a maximized throughput of 13.42%, with reduced delay and protocol overhead of 18.96% and 19.45%, better than the benchmarked schemes used for investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phlyctinus callosus and P. xerophilus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) are two cryptic species of native entimine weevils, previously grouped together under the P. callosus sensu lato concept, that are pests of economic importance to the deciduous fruit and vine industry in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Laboratory bioassays were conducted using entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) isolates of Beauveria and entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), Heterorhabditis indica and Steinernema yirgalemense, to determine differences in susceptibility of adult P. callosus and P. xerophilus to potential biological control agents. The test arena used was 24‐well bioassay plates with an inoculation rate of 200 infective juveniles (IJs)/insect for EPNs and 5 × 105 conidia/insect for EPF. Insects were inoculated using a 12.7 mm filter paper impregnated with 50 μL of entomopathogen suspension. Infection was determined after 96 h incubation for EPNs through dissection of cadavers. Insects inoculated with EPF were incubated in the wells for 18 days and mortality recorded daily. Cadavers were surface sterilized and observed for overt mycosis. Differential susceptibility between P. callosus and P. xerophilus was observed in EPF but not in EPN bioassays. Differential susceptibility to EPF could be due to methodology. Low adult weevil pathogenicity was found for all entomopathogens, with variable results obtained from different bioassay batches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various studies have demonstrated the environmental problems caused by plastic bags (PB) made with hydrocarbons, and therefore international policies have been established to replace the use of conventional PB by biobags or compostable bags, which are designed to be biodegradable and/or composted in the environment. However, the methods used to characterize such bags are still far from being effectively assessed. This study evaluated a technique to identify biodegradable, compostable and/or toxic PB by feeding compostable bags certified by recognized institutions to larvae of the Tenebrionidae family, particularly Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas morio species. Three brands of single-use bags were studied, and the following parameters were evaluated: rate of consumption (of bags by larvae), percentage of biomass (weight increase in larvae), percentage of survival (percentage of larvae eating bags), percentage of biodegradability by evaluating the total organic carbon (TOC) in stool, and stool analysis by spectroscopy and spectrometry. The results showed differences between the rate of consumption, the EHappy bag being the most consumed; there were differences in the percentage of biomass, the EHappy bag showing less potential for biomass increase; both species showed lower survival with the Ealternative bag. TOC evaluation indicated that the WCare bag presents the highest biodegradability; the total reflectance attenuated infrared analysis showed a decrease in the representative peaks of the spectrum of PB, evidencing biodegradation; and the amount of metals in feces was found within the Maximum Permissible Limits. The two species showed a good performance, demonstrating that they can be used as a suitable and viable tool to evaluate toxicity, biodegradability and compostability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent study published in the journal PLoS ONE examined the relationship between Black-backed Woodpeckers and wood-boring beetles in burned forests. The researchers developed a multi-trophic occupancy model to analyze how the populations of these species change over time following a fire. They found that evidence of beetle larvae was a good predictor of woodpecker presence in the first few years after a fire, but became less reliable as time went on. The study also highlighted the importance of considering pyrodiversity, or the variation in fire characteristics, in wildlife habitat assessments for post-fire management. Another paper published in Ecological Applications evaluated different statistical models that predicted Black-backed Woodpecker use of burned forests, emphasizing the impact of timing and variation in fire characteristics on habitat use. These studies provide valuable insights into the dynamics of woodpeckers and beetles in post-fire landscapes, which can inform forest management practices. [Extracted from the article]

This study aims to update the list of Nitidulidae species observed on date palms in Algeria (Ziban region), their spatial dynamics according to the development stages (larva, pupa, adult), and the effectiveness of the bagging operation. In 2020, we sampled and examined 1800 dates of the Deglet Nour variety from three palm groves managed with different protection modes: yellow bagging, white bagging, and no bagging. The results obtained mention the presence of nine species of Nitidulidae with five species reported for the first time on dates in Algeria. The highest relative abundance (RA) of Nitidulidae beetles was noted in the southern (28%) direction. However, the variation of infestation rate (IR) according to the direction was not very accentuated. The GLM analysis showed that, except for the adult stage, the direction presented a highly significant effect on the RA variation of the total Nitudilidae, the larva and pupa stages (p < 0.0001), but there was no significant effect of direction on the IR in all studied cases. The highest RA of total Nitidulidae was found on the white plastic-protected dates (RA = 42%), the IR of the total Nitidulidae was higher on dates protected by yellow plastic (IR = 38%). The unprotected dates recorded the lowest RA and IR for all studied cases and the effect of bagging type on the RA variation of Nitidulidae, in all studied cases, was statistically highly significant (p < 0.0001). This effect on the IR was very highly significant only for total Nitudilidae, larvae, and adults (p < 0.0001). So, the southern direction presents the best conditions for sheltering the largest numbers of Nitidulidae. The latter also has a marked preference for bunches covered by plastic bags rather than for those left uncovered. This implies the ineffectiveness of the operation of protecting dates with plastic bags, especially the yellow-coloured ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crepidogaster (Sphaerotyronia) rotundata subg. nov., sp. nov. is herein described on the basis of a male specimen from East Madagascar. The male habitus and genitalia are illustrated, and some considerations are presented about the systematics of the genus Crepidogaster and the tribe Crepidogastrini. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Regional variation in pheromone production and response has practical implications for the use of semiochemical lures to monitor and control bark beetle populations. We tested 4 lure formulations including 2 new formulations that reflect the pheromone production profiles of western and eastern populations of spruce beetles, Dendroctonus rufipennis Kirby (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), as well as 2 commercially available formulations (current Rocky Mountain lure and current Atlantic lure), in 2 locations in New Brunswick, Canada. In 2 separate years, the new eastern lure containing seudenol, MCOL, and spruce terpenes captured 4 times (2021) and 11 times (2022) more spruce beetles than the current Atlantic lure that consisted of frontalin, seudenol, and spruce terpenes. In 2021, we also captured more eastern larch beetles, Dendroctonus simplex LeConte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), with the new eastern lure, whereas in 2022, we captured the most D. simplex with the current Atlantic lure, suggesting that more research is needed on D. simplex pheromone production and response across its range. The bark beetle predator, Thanasimus dubius (Fabr.; Coleoptera: Cleridae), did not respond well to the new eastern blend that lacks frontalin, suggesting that response to frontalin is important in finding prey and might be conserved in predator populations. The reduced trap catch of T. dubius to the enhanced lure is beneficial because it does not inhibit natural population control by removing predators from the community. Our study reveals an improved trap lure for eastern populations of spruce beetles and highlights gaps and research needs in bark beetle pheromone ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anoplophora chinensis Forster (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is a highly polyphagous and invasive species native to East Asia that makes tunnels in the stems of a variety of broad-leaved plant species and cultivated plant species, as well as citrus and hazelnut. In this study, we collected A. chinensis from hazelnut orchards in Sakarya province of Türkiye, and subsequently recovered the parasitoid Megaselia scalaris (Diptera: Phoridae) from dead adult beetles. The present study reports M. scalaris as a new natural enemy of A. chinensis, and more study is needed on this species' behaviour and biological parameters as a parasitoid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the most numerous group of animals on Earth, insects are found in almost every ecosystem. Their useful role in the environment is priceless; however, for humans, their presence may be considered negative or even harmful. For years, people have been trying to control the number of pests by using synthetic insecticides, which eventually causes an increased level of resistance to applied compounds. The effects of synthetic insecticides have encouraged researchers to search for alternatives and thus develop safe compounds with high specificity. Using knowledge about the physiology of insects and the functionality of compounds of insect origin, a new class of bioinsecticides called peptidomimetics, which are appropriately modified insect analogues, was created. One promising compound that might be successfully modified is the thirteen amino acid peptide alloferon (HGVSGHGQHGVHG), which is obtained from the hemolymph of the blue blowfly Calliphora vicinia. Our research aimed to understand the physiological properties of alloferon and the activity of its peptidomimetics, which will provide the possibility of using alloferon or its analogues in the pharmaceutical industry, as a drug or adjuvant, or in agriculture as a bioinsecticide. We used alloferon and its three peptidomimetics, which are conjugates of the native peptide with three unsaturated fatty acids with various chain lengths: caprylic, myristic, and palmitic. We tested their effects on the morphology and activity of the reproductive system and the embryogenesis of the Tenebrio molitor beetle. We found that the tested compounds influenced the growth and maturation of ovaries and the expression level of the vitellogenin gene. The tested compounds also influenced the process of egg laying, embryogenesis, and offspring hatching, showing that alloferon might be a good peptide for the synthesis of effective bioinsecticides or biopharmaceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acoustic communication is widespread in beetles, is often sexually dimorphic, and plays a significant role in behaviours such as premating recognition, courtship, and copulation. However, the factors that determine the presence or absence of acoustic signalling in a given species remain unclear. We examined acoustic communication in bark beetles (Scolytinae) and pinhole borers (Platypodinae), which are two speciose groups with widespread sound production capabilities. We show that body size along with the sequence of host colonisation predict the presence of acoustic communication, and report, for the first time in the animal kingdom, a size limit—1.9 mm—below which acoustic signalling ceases to be present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of a concerted research effort to design management strategies for an economic insect pest of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.), viz., Analeptes trifasciata Fabricius (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), also known as the stem girdler, it became necessary to understand the biotic and abiotic factors influencing its population fluctuation. The population dynamics of A. trifasciata and its relationship with crop phenology (flushing, senescence, flower initiation, fruit development and maturation stages) and weather factors (average temperature, relative humidity and rainfall) were investigated from 2017 to 2019 at the cashew orchard of Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Ibadan, Nigeria. Observations were recorded at monthly intervals for the duration. The period of incidence was from May to December. Peak abundance, which coincided with the wet season as well as senescence and flower initiation stages, were not significantly correlated. Adult abundance of A. trifasciata was conspicuously low during the fruit development and maturation stages, this stage coincided with the peak of the dry season. However, there was no significant correlation between the pest abundance and crop phenological stages. The male to female ratio was 1:0.81 (÷2 =1.313, df =1, p =0.252). The abundance of A. trifasciata significantly but negatively correlated (r = -0.73) with temperature. Relative humidity (r = 0.30) and rainfall (r = 0.24) showed non-significant association with stem-girdler population. Our findings indicated that temperature is the major predictor of A. trifasciata population fluctuation irrespective of the phenological stage. These findings can be useful for developing a forecasting model for its early detection and appropriate management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Niche theory predicts that ecologically similar sympatric species should show differentiation in at least one of the main niche dimensions (time, space, and/or food). Here, we combined observations of breeding timing, nest site selection, and diet (the latter determined using DNA metabarcoding) to analyze the niche overlap and differentiation between two sympatric secondary cavity‐nesting birds, the Japanese Tit Parus minor and the Yellow‐rumped Flycatcher Ficedula zanthopygia. The results showed that (1) there were significant differences in the first egg laying date, length of the egg laying period, incubation date, and hatching date between tits and flycatchers, and the breeding time of flycatchers peaked later (about 30 days) than that of tits; (2) the two species had a large overlap in nest site selection, although the canopy coverage and shrub density of flycatchers were significantly higher than those of tits; and (3) the niche overlap in diet was minimal, with both species heavily relying on Lepidoptera (39.6% and 63.7% for tits and flycatchers, respectively), but with flycatchers consuming significantly higher percentages of Lepidoptera, Diptera, and Coleoptera than tits. The results indicate that these two sympatric secondary cavity‐nesting species have significant niche differentiation in breeding time and diet, but little differentiation in nest site selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beetles have a remote evolutionary history dating back to the Carboniferous, with Mesozoic fossils playing a pivotal role in elucidating the early evolution of extant families. Despite their exceptional preservation in amber, deciphering the systematic positions of Mesozoic trogossitid‐like beetles remains challenging. Here, we describe and illustrate a new trogossitid‐like lineage from mid‐Cretaceous Kachin amber, Foveapeltis rutai Li, Kolibáč, Liu & Cai, gen. et sp. nov. Foveapeltis stands out within the Cleroidea due to the presence of a significant large cavity on each hypomeron. While the exact phylogenetic placement of Foveapeltis remains uncertain, we offer a discussion on its potential affinity based on our constrained phylogenetic analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The family Lampyridae, commonly known as fireflies, is a cosmopolitan group comprising approximately 100 genera and 2200 species. Oculogryphus Jeng, Engel & Yang, 2007 is a small firefly genus endemic to Asia with only four known species and the phylogenetic position of it remains unresolved. It has been considered enigmatic because of its characteristic morphology intermingling different subfamilies, while its systematic status has never been rigorously tested due to a lack of molecular data. In this study, we obtained a large series of O. chenghoiyanae Yiu & Jeng, 2018 from southeastern China. We successfully sequenced and annotated its complete mitochondrial genome and clarified the systematic status of Oculogryphus. The firefly genus Oculogryphus Jeng, Engel & Yang, 2007 is a rare-species group endemic to Asia. Since its establishment, its position has been controversial but never rigorously tested. To address this perplexing issue, we are the first to present the complete mitochondrial sequence of Oculogryphus, using the material of O. chenghoiyanae Yiu & Jeng, 2018 determined through a comprehensive morphological identification. Our analyses demonstrate that its mitogenome exhibits similar characteristics to that of Stenocladius, including a rearranged gene order between trnC and trnW, and a long intergenic spacer (702 bp) between the two rearranged genes, within which six remnants (29 bp) of trnW were identified. Further, we incorporated this sequence into phylogenetic analyses of Lampyridae based on different molecular markers and datasets using ML and BI analyses. The results consistently place Oculogryphus within the same clade as Stenocladius in all topologies, and the gene rearrangement is a synapomorphy for this clade. It suggests that Oculogryphus should be classified together with Stenocladius in the subfamily Ototretinae at the moment. This study provides molecular evidence confirming the close relationship between Oculogryphus and Stenocladius and discovers a new phylogenetic marker helpful in clarifying the monophyly of Ototretinae, which also sheds a new light on firefly evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the spatial structure of spiders and beetles in 4 types of habitats in the Poloniny National Park. Between the years 2020 and 2021, we recorded 1,597 beetle specimens and 3,765 spider specimens using the pitfall trap method. The most represented beetles were Poecilus versicolor (53.4%), Nebria brevicollis (10.3%), Staphylinus caesareus (4.4%) and Amara familiaris (4.1%). Among the spiders, there were species Pardosa pullata (21.81%), Pachygnatha degeeri (14.21%), Xerolycosa nemoralis (10.28%), Pardosa palustris (7.86%), Trochosa ruricola (6.24%) and Alopecosa pulverulenta (4.38%). We confirmed the occurrence of two European important species of beetles (Carabus zawadzkii, Carabus variolosus) and 3 species of spiders belonging to the vulnerable species according to the IUCN threat status (Gongylidiellum vivum, Palliduphantes milleri and Xysticus lineatus). We also found the spider Micaria micans, which is new to the Slovak fauna and information about its distribution and habitat preferences in Slovakia is presented. Using multivariate analyzes (CCA, RDA) and classification species into bioindicative groups, we found a greater connection of adaptable and eurytopic species of ground beetles to the mesophilic meadow and of spiders to the habitat Nardetum pasture. Based on bioindicative groups of species (adaptable, eurytopic and relict), we found only a small difference in percentile points between spiders and beetles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In forest ecosystems, fires profoundly impact the habitat and seasonal dynamics of numerous Coleoptera species. The phenology of species and communities is particularly noteworthy in burned areas that were previously forest ecosystems. In 2023, research was conducted in the Mordovia State Nature Reserve on 11 burned plots in 2021 and control plots. The research employed the use of beer traps, which are baited with a combination of beer and sugar. In the second year after the fires, species from the families Nitidulidae, Cerambycidae, Scarabaeidae, and Elateridae exhibited the highest total number across all plots, accounting for 84.8% of all Coleoptera specimens collected. A single peak in the abundance of Coleoptera was observed on all plots during the month of May. The second peak in abundance during the autumn season was relatively modest in scale and was observed exclusively on unburned 2021 plots. Nitidulidae beetles appear in traps earlier than other beetles, with their number peaking in April and May. Thereafter, their number declined in June. The number of Cerambycidae and Scarabaeidae on all plots was relatively low in April but increased significantly in May and June. The peak abundance of Elateridae was observed in June, although the first individuals were recorded in April. A precipitous decline in the abundance of the species was observed in July, with only a single specimen being recorded in August. The Elateridae were observed to be particularly prevalent in burned areas where deadwood was present. There are variations in the observed differences between individual families, which are related to the location of plots, the condition of the vegetation cover, and the presence of flowering plants, deadwood, and dry trees on the plots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

6G(Sixth-generation) technology is the next generation of mobile wireless communication networks, designed to deliver more inclusive and long-lasting wireless connectivity. Great security, secrecy, and privacy should be the fundamental qualities of 6G. However, 6G faces challenges in overcoming limitations like congested networks that lead to poor Quality of experience (QoE) and high energy consumption for continuous operation. In this work, a novel 6G Resource Allocation Detection USing Deep Learning (6G-RADIUS) technique has been proposed to allocate resources and enhance QoE efficiency and energy efficiency in a 6G network. Data from the user's equipment is sent to the base station to begin the procedure. The Golden Tortoise Beetle Optimizer (GTBO) assigns subbands, potentially choosing those with the most important information or strongest signals. The resource allocation method is carried out using a Multi-Head Attention-based Bidirectional Gated Recurrent Unit (MHA-BiGRU) model. The output of the MHA-BiGRU model is supplied into the BaseBand Unit (BBU) pool, which regulates and distributes resources among many BBU. The proposed techniques' performance is assessed using QoE, resource utilization, energy efficiency, Mean Square Error (MSE), Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF), and spectral efficiency. The proposed method has a higher resource utilization factor of 8.16%, 6.12%, and 3.06% compared to existing QJEEO, EKF and SDWN techniques, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spread of invasive species often follows a jump-dispersal pattern. While jumps are typically fostered by humans, local dispersal can occur due to the specific traits of a species, which are often poorly understood. This holds true for small hive beetles (Aethina tumida), which are parasites of social bee colonies native to sub-Saharan Africa. They have become a widespread invasive species. In 2017, a mark-release-recapture experiment was conducted in six replicates (A–F) using laboratory reared, dye-fed adults (N = 15,690). Honey bee colonies were used to attract flying small hive beetles at fixed spatial intervals from a central release point. Small hive beetles were recaptured (N = 770) at a maximum distance of 3.2 km after 24 h and 12 km after 1 week. Most small hive beetles were collected closest to the release point at 0 m (76%, replicate A) and 50 m (52%, replicates B to F). Temperature and wind deviation had significant effects on dispersal, with more small hive beetles being recaptured when temperatures were high (GLMM: slope = 0.99, SE = 0.17, Z = 5.72, P < 0.001) and confirming the role of wind for odour modulated dispersal of flying insects (GLMM: slope = − 0.39, SE = 0.14, Z = − 2.90, P = 0.004). Our findings show that the small hive beetles is capable of long-distance flights, and highlights the need to understand species specific traits to be considered for monitoring and mitigation efforts regarding invasive alien species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the extant staphylinid genus Vicelva Moore & Legner, V. rasilis sp. nov., is reported from mid‐Cretaceous Kachin amber of northern Myanmar. Vicelva rasilis is distinguishable from extant members of Vicelva by the smoother dorsal surface of head, pronotum and elytra, less prominent median projection of clypeus, unnotched mesal edge of mandibles, semiglabrous antennomere 6, and longer tarsomere 1. The pollen‐containing coprolite attached to the beetle and the crystals within the beetle body provide valuable information about the biology and taphonomy of the fossil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Costa Rica emerged from the seas as a new geological territory during the Miocene as an insular archipelago. It later became part of a continental area once it became a segment of Central America. Two dung beetle genera that colonized this new territory from South and North America, Canthidium and Onthophagus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae), are here studied, in the first analysis of a volcanic paleo‐archipelago, colonized from its emergence, and then later becoming terra firma. To assess their biodiversity distribution patterns, we analyzed the effect of biogeography, ecosystem origins, and body size on their altitudinal distribution patterns in three geographic basins of Costa Rica. Based on 32 years of collecting representing more than 158,000 specimens from 1017 localities, we undertook Generalized Linear Models of the two dung beetle genera to assess the effects of biodiversity and biogeographical distribution patterns. Canthidium and Onthophagus species ranged from 0 to 3000 m a.s.l., with an abrupt diversity decline at altitudes above 1500 m. Endemic species tended to show a higher altitudinal mean with a narrow altitudinal band distribution than non‐endemic dung beetle species. Although there was a trend of decreasing species body size with the increase in altitude, such a trend depended on the distribution pattern of the species group. This possible insular‐mediated endemicity mechanism has generated baffling biodiversity levels, considered the highest worldwide per unit area. Costa Rica is an expanse represented by a geographic overlap of two or more temporally disjunct areas and is not part of a natural transition zone. The effect of the insular Miocene origin of Costa Rica still pervades today, reflected by different insular syndromes shown by the dung beetle fauna. The importance of geological origins in generating biodiversity seems to have been an underrated criterion for conservation biology practices and should be considered ex officio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unravelling the multifaceted and bidirectional interactions between microbiota and host physiology represents a major scientific challenge. Here, we utilise the nematode model, Pristionchus pacificus, coupled to a laboratory-simulated decay process of its insect host, to mimic natural microbiota succession and investigate associated tripartite interactions. Metagenomics reveal that during initial decay stages, the population of vitamin B-producing bacteria diminishes, potentially due to a preferential selection by nematodes. As decay progresses to nutrient-depleted stages, bacteria with smaller genomes producing less nutrients become more prevalent. Lipid utilisation and dauer formation, representing key nematode survival strategies, are influenced by microbiota changes. Additionally, horizontally acquired cellulases extend the nematodes' reproductive phase due to more efficient foraging. Lastly, the expressions of Pristionchus species-specific genes are more responsive to natural microbiota compared to conserved genes, suggesting their importance in the organisms' adaptation to its ecological niche. In summary, we show the importance of microbial successions and their reciprocal interaction with nematodes for insect decay in semi-artificial ecosystems. This study uses decomposing beetle grubs to replicate the natural microbial habitat of a nematode model organism. The approach enables exploration of interactions between nematodes and their microbiota and was used to show the importance of microbial successions and their reciprocal interaction with nematodes for insect decay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anomalini beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) constitute an important group of pests causing significant crop losses in wheat cultivation areas worldwide, including Türkiye. The aim of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the phylogeny, diversity, abundance, and distribution of Anomalini beetles in wheat fields of Van province, Türkiye. Surveys were conducted between April and August 2021, involving monthly sample collection at predetermined locations within six districts: Başkale, Çaldıran, Erciş, Gevaş, İpekyolu, and Tuşba. A Standard sweepnet with a diameter of 35 cm was used to collect samplings. In molecular studies, the mitochondrial COI gene region has been amplified and sequenced using universal primers. Anomalini beetles were detected in all sampling areas except Çatak district. Seven species were identified: Anisoplia austriaca, A. signata, A. lata, Brancoplia leucaspis, Blitopertha nigripennis, Chaetopteroplia segetum, and an unidentified Anisoplia sp. Chaetopteroplia segetum emerged as the most prevalent and abundant species across all districts. Notably, all identified Anomalini species represent the first records for Van province and its environs. While Anomalini beetles were present in the region, their population densities were not considered high enough to cause economic damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work tribe Akidini of subfamily Pimellinae belonging to family Tenebrionidae was revised. In Egypt, two genera are Akis Herbest and Morica Solier compressed 9 species were recorded in the tribe Akidini; seven species belonging to the genus Akis are A. cyrenaica; A. elevata; A. gestroi; A. latreillei; A. reflexa; A. scluptior; A. trilineata and two species belonging to genus Morica which are M. constitubera and M. grossa. Representatives of most species were available whether from the field survey during the present work and/or at the Egyptian Reference Insect Collections. The present study has been planned to survey, Classify and determine the recent taxonomic status of the available species of tribe Akidini in Egypt. Diagnosis of tribe, genera and species with illustrations of all taxa are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sitophilus oryzae and Sitophilus zeamais are among the main pests of stored grains worldwide, they are very similar species and have great destructive potential, causing numerous damages to grain production. The control of these insects occurs, in general, through chemical insecticides such as the agrochemicals pirimiphos-methyl, an organophosphate, and bifenthrin, a pyrethroid, which are widely used to prevent infestation. Four strains of these two species were exposed to the two classes of agrochemicals mentioned. The polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis technique was used to identify the esterase patterns of the species and eight esterases were identified for S. zeamais, of which four cholinesterases, two carboxylesterases, one acetylesterase, and one arylesterase; and seven esterases for S. oryzae, being four cholinesterases, two carboxylesterases, and one acetylesterase. After exposure to agrochemicals, through dose-response bioassays, the LC50 was determined for each strain, with the SoB strain of S. oryzae being the most resistant to bifenthrin, the SzB strain of S. zeamais being the most resistant to pirimiphos-methyl and the SoA strain of S. oryzae was the most sensitive to both compounds. Analysis of the esterase patterns of insects exposed to these agrochemicals revealed the inhibition and probable involvement of carboxylesterases and cholinesterases in the detoxification processes of organophosphates and pyrethroids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seeds and leaves of Cupressus sempervirens essential oils were evaluated against the khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium at different concentrations. Mortality, repellence activity, adult emergence rate, larvae chemical profile (protein contents and energy reserves), seed germination effect, and grain damage were assessed. The results of phytochemical screening of C. sempervirens leaf and seed demonstrated the presence of saponins, flavonoids, leucoanthocyanins, catechetical tannins, and gallic tannins. We identified eighty-two (82) compounds for leaves and seventy-four (74) for seeds by GC/MS. The major compounds for leaf and seed EOs were α-pinene (33.65% and 26.53%), δ-3-Carene (14.78% and 19.48%) and terpinolene (4.25% and 4.13%), respectively. C. sempervirens exhibited fumigant toxicity and repellent activity as a function the concentrations. C. sempervirens leaves was most potent both in adult emergence (66.94%) and germination rate (99%) compared to seeds oil. Furthermore, the seed and leaf oils significantly reduced seed damage. Finally, the treatments induced an alteration of the biochemical profile via a decrease in energy reserves and protein content. The data obtained suggest that the toxicity of EO by fumigation could be explained by an alteration of insect metabolism via food uptake and digestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]